Mediating Role of Joyful Disposition in the Relationship Between Caregivers of Children With Autism and Experiential Avoidance and Unwanted Intrusive Thoughts

Date of Conferral

10-31-2023

Degree

Doctor of Psychology (Psy.D.)

School

Psychology

Advisor

Brent Robbins

Abstract

Caregivers of children with autism spectrum disorder can experience excessive stressors from their children’s autistic symptoms, self-injurious behaviors, and/or morbidity events. This population of caregivers often suffers from coping and psychological issues such as experiential avoidance and unwanted intrusive thoughts that can lead to decreased quality of life and lower trait joy well-being. The purpose of this quantitative nonexperimental study was to determine the extent to which joyful disposition mediated the relationship between type of caregiver (caregivers of autistic children and caregivers of neurotypical children) and experiential avoidance and unwanted intrusive thoughts. The joyful life approach served as the theoretical foundation. The sample, recruited through SurveyMonkey, had sixty-six (74.2%) caregivers of boys and twenty-three (25.8%) caregivers with girls. Results from multiple regression analyses did not show significant relationships between type of caregiver and experiential avoidance, and type of caregiver and unwanted intrusive thoughts. Joyful disposition was not a mediator between type of caregiver and experiential avoidance, or type of caregiver and unwanted intrusive thoughts. Positive social change may occur through the development of educational programs and resources for caregivers focused on positive psychology to mitigate caregiver stress. Social change may also occur at the state level through outreach programs such as educational workshops and in-home visits from organizational advocates for caregivers and their children.

This item is not available through Walden resources

Share

 
COinS