Abstract

High depression rates for adolescents with autism indicate a need for a comprehensive prevention approach. Parents can promote parent–child factors that buffer adolescents from depression. However, parenting adolescents with autism presents challenges which can diminish parental self-efficacy and mental wellbeing with potential negative sequelae for their adolescents. This proof-of-concept study investigated the value of adding a strength-focused parenting intervention to a depression-prevention intervention for adolescents with autism. A Consensual Qualitative Research framework analysed 15 parents’ intervention experience. Parents reported that feeling isolated and unsupported by existing services motivated their participation, and they valued interacting with other parent participants. They also reported that the program enhanced wellbeing and parenting efficacy, reduced isolation, increased ability to parent calmly, and improved parent-adolescent relationships.

Citation

Shochet, I.M., Saggers, B.R., Carrington, S.B., Orr, J.A., Wurfl, A.M. & Duncan, B.M. (2019). A strength-focused parenting intervention may be a valuable augmentation to a depression prevention focus for adolescents with autism. Journal of Autism and Developmental Disorders, 49(5), 2080-2100. doi: 10.1007/s10803-019-03893-6.