Effectiveness of a Parent Training Intervention for Children with Comorbid Autism Spectrum Disorder and Behavioral Problems in Alexandria, Egypt | ||||
| Journal of High Institute of Public Health | ||||
| Article 2, Volume 54, Issue 1, April 2024, Page 10-22 PDF (479.56 K) | ||||
| Document Type: Original Article | ||||
| DOI: 10.21608/jhiph.2024.372297 | ||||
 View on SCiNiTO | ||||
| Authors | ||||
Sally S. Othman1; Mervat W. Abu‑Nazel1; Tarek E.I. Omar2; Heba A. Abdelaziz1; Zeinab N. Shata  1
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| 1Department of Family Health, High Institute of Public Health, Alexandria University, Egypt | ||||
| 2Department of Pediatrics, Faculty of Medicine, Alexandria University, Egypt | ||||
| Abstract | ||||
| Background: Parents of children with autism spectrum disorder (ASD) experience several negative psychological outcomes that are compounded by the presence of children’s comorbid behavioral problems. Objective(s): To evaluate the effectiveness of a culturally sensitive parent training intervention for children with comorbid ASD and behavioral problems in a clinic-based setting in Alexandria, Egypt. Methods: A quasi-experimental study with non-equivalent groups (intervention, non-intervention, 46 each) was conducted targeting parents/caregivers of children aged ≥ 3 years with ASD and having at least one behavioral problem. The intervention group participated in a multi-component group < br />intervention including psychoeducation, parent training and brief cognitive behavioral therapy. Both groups were assessed immediately after program completion (post-1) and 3 months later (post-2). Measured outcomes included caregivers’ ASD related knowledge and emotional status, and children’s behavioral problems, that were assessed using: ASD knowledge self-report questionnaire, The Arabic Version of Depression Anxiety Stress Scales, The Arabic Version of Strengths and Difficulties Questionnaire, and The Arabic Version of Home Situation Questionnaire for ASD. Results: Positive effect of the program was evidenced by significant improvement on all outcome measures at post-2. The highest percentage mean change was reported in caregivers’ anxiety symptoms (-63.64), followed by caregivers’ depression symptoms, child’s behavioral problems and caregivers’ stress symptoms (-52.63, -45.64 and -38.18, respectively). ASD related knowledge recorded the least percentage mean change (18.18). Conclusion: The current intervention provided evidence for the effectiveness of an Egyptian group - based parent-focused multi-component intervention in addressing educational and emotional problems of caregivers of children with comorbid ASD and behavioral problems. | ||||
| Keywords | ||||
| Parent training; ASD; multi-component intervention; behavioral problems; Egypt | ||||
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