Hospital Practices and Research

Mitigating Social Stigma and Enhancing Distress Tolerance: A Comparative Analysis of Mindfulness-Based Parenting Training and Transdiagnostic Interventions in Mothers of Autistic Children

Document Type : Original Article

Authors

Nasim Koohzad 1
Parviz Asgari 1
Alireza Heidari 1
Somayeh Esmaeili 2
Reza Johari Fard 1

1 Department of Psychology, Ahvaz Branch, Islamic Azad University, Ahvaz, Iran

2 Department of Psychology, Izeh Branch, Islamic Azad University, Izeh, Iran

https://doi.org/10.30491/hpr.2025.509298.1480
Abstract
Background: Mothers of children with Autism Spectrum Disorder (ASD) often experience significant social stigma and challenges with distress tolerance, impacting their well-being and parenting effectiveness.
Objectives: This study aimed to evaluate the effectiveness of mindfulness-based parenting training and transdiagnostic therapy in reducing social stigma and improving distress tolerance among these mothers.
Methods: This study utilized a quasi-experimental, pretest-posttest control group design with three-month follow-up assessments. The target population comprised mothers of children aged 5 to 12 years, diagnosed with ASD, who were attending autism centers in Mashhad during 2024. A convenience sample of 45 mothers was recruited and subsequently randomly allocated to two experimental groups and a single waitlist control group. Data collection instruments included the Social Stigma Scale and the Distress Tolerance Scale. Statistical analyses were conducted using repeated measures analysis of variance (ANOVA), with Bonferroni post-hoc tests employed for pairwise comparisons.
Results: Findings demonstrated that both the mindfulness-based parenting intervention and transdiagnostic therapy yielded statistically significant reductions in perceived social stigma and increases in distress tolerance at both the post-test and follow-up assessments when compared to the control group (P<0.001). Additionally, no statistically significant difference was observed in the effectiveness between the two intervention modalities, indicating that they were statistically equivalent in their impact on social stigma and distress tolerance.
Conclusion: This research demonstrated that both mindfulness-based parenting and transdiagnostic therapy effectively reduced social stigma and improved distress tolerance in mothers of children with ASD, with sustained benefits observed during follow-up. Clinicians can consider either, or a combined approach, as both yielded equivalent improvements. This allows tailored interventions based on individual needs and preferences.

Keywords

Mindfulness
Social Stigma
Distress
Autism
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