Empowering Exceptional Children

Empowering Exceptional Children

The Effectiveness of Attachment-Based Self-Compassion Training with a Religious (Spiritual) Framework on Parent–Child Interaction in Children with Autism Spectrum Disorder

Document Type : Original Article

Authors
atefeh mohammadi feizabadi 1
Fatimah Nosrati 2
Bagher ghobari bonab 3
Manijeh Firoozi 4
1 PhD Student in Psychology and Education of Exceptional Children, Faculty of Psychology and Educational Sciences, University of Tehran, Tehran, Iran
2 Associate Professor, Department of Psychology and Education of Exceptional Children, Faculty of Psychology and Educational Sciences, University of Tehran, Tehran, Iran.
3 Professor, Psychology and Education of Exceptional Children, Faculty of Psychology and Educational Sciences, University of Tehran, Tehran, Iran
4 Associate Professor, Psychology Department, Faculty of Psychology and Educational Sciences, University of Tehran, Tehran, Iran.
10.22034/ceciranj.2025.538716.1977
Abstract
The present study aimed to evaluate the effectiveness of attachment-based self-compassion training grounded in a religious (spiritual) model on parent–child interaction in children with autism spectrum disorder (ASD). This research employed a quasi-experimental design with pre-test, post-test, and a control group, including a one-month follow-up phase. The statistical population consisted of all mothers of children with ASD in Yazd during the 2024–2025 academic year. Thirty mothers were selected through purposive sampling and randomly assigned to experimental (n =15) and control (n =15) groups. Research instruments included the Pianta Parent–Child Interaction Scale (1994), the Gilliam Autism Rating Scale – Second Edition (1994), and the intervention program of attachment-based self-compassion training with a religious (spiritual) framework. Data analysis was conducted using SPSS version 24, applying repeated measures ANOVA. The findings revealed that the intervention had a statistically significant effect in both post-test and follow-up stages compared to the control group (p < 0.001). Moreover, the effect size (0.59) indicated a substantial impact of the training program on improving parent–child interaction. It can be concluded that attachment-based self-compassion training rooted in a religious (spiritual) model has a meaningful and positive influence on enhancing parent–child interaction in children with ASD.
Keywords
: Attachment
Autism Spectrum Disorder
Parent&‌ndash
Child Interaction
Self-Compassion

Subjects

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  • Receive Date 10 March 2025
  • Revise Date 21 August 2025
  • Accept Date 24 August 2025