Compassion-Focused Therapy Shows Promise in Supporting Mothers of Children with Autism Spectrum Disorder
New Study Highlights Benefits of Compassion-Focused Therapy for Mothers of Children with ASD
Mothers caring for children with autism spectrum disorder (ASD) often face significant emotional challenges, including parental burnout, intense self-criticism, and psychological distress. A recent study conducted in Iran explored whether compassion-focused therapy (CFT) could help alleviate these burdens.
Study Design and Participants
The research involved 64 mothers of children with ASD who were recruited from rehabilitation centers, psychology clinics, and autism associations in Ahvaz, Iran, during 2025. Participants were randomly assigned to either an experimental group, which received eight weekly 70-minute sessions of CFT, or a waitlist control group that did not receive any intervention during the study period.
Measures and Outcomes
Researchers assessed parental burnout, self-criticism, and psychological distress using validated tools including the Parental Burnout Assessment (PBA), the Forms of Self-Criticising/Attacking and Self-Reassuring Scale (FSCRS), and the Depression, Anxiety, and Stress Scale (DASS-21). The Gilliam Autism Rating Scale-Third Edition (GARS-3) was also employed to characterize the children’s autism symptoms.
Key Findings
Analysis showed that mothers who participated in the CFT sessions experienced significant reductions in parental burnout, self-critical thoughts, and symptoms of depression, anxiety, and stress compared to those in the control group. Importantly, these improvements were sustained at a three-month follow-up, suggesting lasting benefits of the therapy.
Implications for Families and Support Programs
The study’s findings suggest that compassion-focused therapy may be a valuable addition to support services for families of children with ASD. By addressing the emotional strain often experienced by mothers, CFT could contribute to improved psychological well-being and resilience over time.
Considerations and Limitations
While results are promising, the study was conducted with a relatively small sample in a specific cultural context, which may affect generalizability. Further research involving diverse populations and longer follow-up periods would help confirm and extend these findings.
For families and practitioners seeking evidence-based approaches to support maternal mental health in the context of ASD caregiving, compassion-focused therapy offers a potentially effective option worth considering.
Read the full study details at PubMed.
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