The effects of mindfulness-based self-compassion training on stress, psychological resilience, and well-being in parents of autistic children: a randomized controlled study
Mine Cengiz, Dilek Kılıç
Current Psychology June 27, 2025 DOI: 10.1007/s12144-025-08101-6 (opens in new tab)
Study at a glance
AI-extracted from the abstract| Characteristics | Randomized controlled trial Peer reviewed |
|---|---|
| Sample size | 68 |
| Population | Parents of autistic children aged 7–12 years presenting to a hospital child and adolescent psychiatry clinic |
| Intervention | Mindfulness-based self-compassion training |
| Duration | 10 weeks, once weekly; data collected before and after the intervention |
| Measures | Parental Stress Scale, Resilience Scale for Adults, Warwick-Edinburgh Mental Well-Being Scale, Self-Compassion Scale–Short Form, Mindful Attention Awareness Scale |
| Topics | Meditation |
| Key findings | Parents who received 10 weeks of mindfulness-based self-compassion training showed lower stress and higher psychological resilience, self-compassion, and mindful awareness after the intervention, with all changes reported as significant. The authors suggest the training is effective for this population and recommend its use. |
Abstract
The present study was conducted to determine the effects of a mindfulness-based self-compassion training intervention given to the parents of autistic children on parental stress, psychological resilience, and well-being. This single-blind, randomized, controlled experimental study included the parents of autistic children aged 7–12 years who presented to the child and adolescent psychiatry clinic of our hospital. The parents were randomized to the experimental group (n = 34) and control group (n = 34). The experimental group received mindfulness-based self-compassion training once a week for 10 weeks. Data were collected before and after the intervention by using the Parental Stress Scale, Resilience Scale for Adults, Warwick-Edinburgh Mental Well-Being Scale, Self-Compassion Scale–Short Form, and Mindful Attention Awareness Scale. After the intervention, parents in the experimental group showed a significant decrease in stress scores (36.12 ± 10.27 vs. 31.21 ± 7.34, mean change: −4.91 ± 2.93) and increases in resilience (118.06 ± 12.77 vs. 126.00 ± 14.90, mean change: 7.94 ± 2.13), self-compassion (33.44 ± 5.41 vs. 37.21 ± 5.12, mean change: 3.77 ± 0.29) and mindful awareness scores (56.00 ± 11.02 vs. 63.53 ± 10.75, mean change: 7.53 ± 0.27) (p <.001 for all). The results suggest that Mindfulness-Based Self-Compassion Training is effective in reducing stress and increasing psychological resilience, self-compassion, and mindfulness in the parents of autistic children. The use of such interventions can be recommended.
Comparable studies
Other randomized controlled trials on meditation, most cited first.
| Study | Year | Design | Participants |
|---|---|---|---|
| Alterations in Brain and Immune Function Produced by Mindfulness Meditation Healthy employees in a work environment | 2003 | Randomized controlled trial | n = 41 |
| Prevention of relapse/recurrence in major depression by mindfulness-based cognitive therapy. Recovered recurrently depressed patients | 2000 | Randomized controlled trial | n = 145 |
| Open hearts build lives: Positive emotions, induced through loving-kindness meditation, build consequential personal resources. Working adults | 2008 | Randomized controlled trial | n = 139 |
| Short-term meditation training improves attention and self-regulation Undergraduate Chinese students | 2007 | Randomized controlled trial | n = 40 |
| Mindfulness-Based Cognitive Therapy for Depression: Replication and Exploration of Differential Relapse Prevention Effects. Recovered recurrently depressed patients | 2004 | Randomized controlled trial | n = 73 |
Citations in the library
Cited by 3
- Spanish validation of the Mindfulness Attention Awareness Scale (MAAS) in parents of individuals with ASD Frontiers in Psychology September 23, 2026
- Mindfulness and communication intervention for mothers of children with developmental disabilities in Yangon: A randomized controlled trial on parental stress and problem-solving communication. International Journal of Nursing Sciences March 1, 2026
- Effects of Mindfulness-Based Cognitive Therapy on Parental Mental Health and Child Behavior in Families of Children with Autism Spectrum Disorder: A Randomized Controlled Trial. Children (Basel, Switzerland) December 30, 2025
Cites 6
- The benefits of being present: Mindfulness and its role in psychological well-being. Journal of Personality and Social Psychology 2003
- Mindfulness‐Based Stress Reduction for Parents of Young Children with Developmental Delays: Implications for Parental Mental Health and Child Behavior Problems Journal of Applied Research in Intellectual Disabilities July 1, 2013
- Mindfulness and Compassion: An Examination of Mechanism and Scalability PLoS One February 17, 2015
- Mindfulness-Based Stress Reduction (MBSR) and Self Compassion (SC) Training for Parents of Children with Autism Spectrum Disorders: A Pilot Trial in Community Services in Spain Children April 22, 2021
- A Component Analysis of the Mindfulness-Based Positive Behavior Support (MBPBS) Program for Mindful Parenting by Mothers of Children with Autism Spectrum Disorder. Mindfulness 2021
and 1 more in the library