Effectiveness of on-line and off-line Acceptance and Commitment Therapy in developing psychological flexibility, self-compassion and ego-resiliency in parents of children with autism spectrum disorder

The aim of this study was to investigate the effectiveness of Acceptance and Commitment Therapy (ACT) among parents of children with autism spectrum disorder (ASD) through reducing psychopathology, improving quality of life, and developing psychological skills (psychological flexibility, self-compassion, and ego-resiliency). The study was quasi-experimental in the form of a four-week ACT intervention; three measurements were obtained (baseline, one week after training, one month after training). It involved 60 participants divided into three groups: two criteria groups (ACT in the off-line form, N=20, ACT in the on-line form, N=20), and one control group (N=20). The results showed a significant improvement in the area of quality of life and the level of psychological skills among parents participating in the ACT training, and this improvement was maintained both a week and a month after the end of the training. The form of participation in the training did not differentiate the groups, which may indicate their equivalence. In addition, significant intergroup differences were shown between participants from the criterion groups and those from the control group, as the subjects who did not participate in the training were characterized by lower quality of life and lower level of psychological skills, and higher intensity of psychopathological symptoms. The results can be used both in designing further scientific research and in clinical practice, especially in the psychological care of families of persons diagnosed with ASD, with special focus on the area of developing psychological skills and the use of short-term therapeutic methods.