Date of Conferral

2022

Degree

Ph.D.

School

Psychology

Advisor

Magy Martin

Abstract

This quantitative causal-comparative research study aimed to examine if there was a significant difference in parents’ involvement in handling their children with autism spectrum disorder (ASD) between those who were exposed to both applied behavior analysis (ABA) and acceptance and commitment therapy (ACT) interventions compared to those who were only exposed to ABA. Differences in parental involvement in both groups were measured and compared. The study included a nonrandom convenient sample of parents from a Midwestern region in the United States. A sample size of 57 participants was used. These parents have children with ASD and have been exposed to interventions (ABA or combined ACT and ABA) provided by behavioral therapists. The aim of the study was to produce empirical evidence about the benefit of integrating ACT with ABA interventions to enhance parental involvement in interventions for their children with ASD. The mean child program involvement was greater in the combined ABA and ACT group (M = 3.89, SD = 0.74) than in the ABA only group (M = 3.74, SD = 0.75). However, mean agency involvement was greater in the ABA only (M = 2.68, SD = 0.77. The mean parental involvement (agency involvement) was greater in the combined ABA and ACT group (M = 2.46, SE = 0.189) than in the ABA only group (M = 2.63, SD = 0.130). However, these differences were not significant, F(1, 28) = 0.252, p = .619. Parents and therapists of children with ASD may use the study findings for positive social change to identify the mechanisms to cope with life challenges with their children having ASD.

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