Psychological Intervention in Parents of Children With Neurodevelopmental Disorders Using a Brief Protocol Based on Acceptance and Commitment Therapy

Abstract

Parenting children with neurodevelopmental disorders and intellectual disabilities is associated with psychological and health problems in parents. It is also related to authoritarian and inflexible parenting, hindering the psychological adjustment of diagnosed children. Contextual therapies are developing a promising line of intervention for parents of children with intellectual disabilities. Intervention was followed by an increase in general health and a decrease in psychological inflexibility, private eventsuppression, and parental stress at follow- up. An increase in supportive interactions and a decrease in punitive interactions were observed. Training parents in psychological flexibility may improve the adjustment of parents and children with intellectual disabilities.