Despite the rising prevalence of autism spectrum disorders (ASD), interventions for the adult population, most of whom do not achieve independent living, are limited (Seltzer, Shattuck, Abbeduto, and Greenberg, 2004). Additionally, many individuals with ASD experience impaired emotion regulation (ER), which is thought to contribute to higher rates of psychiatric comorbidities among adults with ASD as well as indirect effects upon adaptive functioning, interpersonal relationships, and vocational status ( Mazefsky et al., 2013; Samson, Huber, and Gross, 2012). The primary purpose of the current study was to investigate the initial feasibility and efficacy of an adapted mindfulness-based individual therapy for adults with ASD to target ER difficulties, and evaluate ER as a potential change process. Initial feasibility of mindfulness-based approaches among adults with ASD was supported by acceptable treatment fidelity and participant satisfaction ratings. Efficacy of the intervention was partially supported; four of the participants demonstrated significant improvements in impulse control, access to ER strategies, and emotional acceptance, and two of the participants evidenced significant decreases in emotional symptom distress. Analysis of ER as a potential change process found significant improvement for four participants, but slopes demonstrated that improvement initiated before treatment, a confound for determination of change processes. Further research is recommended, including additional timepoints, a clinical cutoff-derived sample, and further understanding of the role of self-regulatory deficits for individuals with ASD. / Ph. D. / Despite the rising numbers of people with autism spectrum disorders (ASD), interventions for adults with ASD, most of whom do not achieve independent living, are limited (Seltzer, Shattuck, Abbeduto, & Greenberg, 2004). Many adults with ASD have impaired emotion regulation (ER), which is thought to contribute to higher rates of co-occurring diagnoses such as depression and anxiety disorders, and reduces overall quality of life (Mazefsky et al., 2013; Samson, Huber, & Gross, 2012). The primary purpose of the current study was to investigate the practicality and usefulness of an adapted mindfulness-based individual therapy for adults with ASD to target these difficulties in ER, and to judge whether ER is a potential change process in the improvement of overall functioning. Nine individuals with ASD who were between the ages of 18-25 participated in the study. After their diagnosis of ASD was confirmed, they were assigned to either 3- or 4-week baseline period in order to assess their functioning before the treatment, and then began the 6 weekly therapy sessions on mindfulness. Initial practicality to conduct mindfulness-based approaches among adults with ASD was supported by acceptable treatment fidelity (adherence) and participant satisfaction ratings. Helpfulness of the intervention was partially supported; four of the participants saw significant improvements in control of emotional impulses, learned to use more ER strategies, and accepted their emotions more often, and two of the participants showed significant decreases in emotional distress. Study of ER as a potential change process found that four participants had significant improvements in their overall ER skills, but graphs showed that improvement began before the treatment, leading to questions about whether the intervention was the only reason for improvement. Further research is recommended.
| Identifer | oai:union.ndltd.org:VTETD/oai:vtechworks.lib.vt.edu:10919/85180 |
| Date | 05 April 2017 |
| Creators | Conner, Caitlin Mary |
| Contributors | Psychology, White, Susan Williams, Dunsmore, Julie C., Deater-Deckard, Kirby, White, Bradley A. |
| Publisher | Virginia Tech |
| Source Sets | Virginia Tech Theses and Dissertation |
| Detected Language | English |
| Type | Dissertation |
| Format | ETD, application/pdf, application/pdf |
| Rights | In Copyright, http://rightsstatements.org/vocab/InC/1.0/ |
Page generated in 0.0025 seconds