Empowering Exceptional Children

Empowering Exceptional Children

The Effectiveness of an Integrated Response-Based Program Relying on Mindfulness of the Emotional Environment of Families of High-Functioning Autistic Children

Document Type : Original Article

Authors
1 PhD Student, Department of General Psychology and Exceptional Children, Central Tehran Branch, Islamic Azad University, Tehran, Iran.
2 Assistant Professor, Department of General Psychology and Exceptional Children, Central Tehran Branch, Islamic Azad University, Tehran, Iran.
3 Associate Professor, Department of Psychology, Faculty of Humanities, Abhar Branch, Islamic Azad University, Abhar, Iran.
10.22034/ceciranj.2025.507747.1954
Abstract
This study aimed to determine the effectiveness of an integrated response-oriented program based on moment-to-moment awareness on the emotional climate of families with high-functioning children with autism. The research method was semi-experimental, utilizing a pre-test – post-test design with a control group and a follow-up. The statistical population consisted of all mothers of high-functioning autistic children (aged 8 to 12 years) in Tehran. The sample size included 30 participants (15 in the experimental group and 15 in the control group), who were selected through purposive sampling and assigned to the experimental and control groups. The research tools included the Self-Diagnosis Scale (1995) and the Family Emotional Climate Questionnaire by Byrne (1964), with both groups completing the Family Emotional Climate Questionnaire in the pre-test phase. The experimental group received the response-oriented intervention (family-based), focusing on moment-to-moment awareness, in 8 one-hour group sessions over 2 months, while the control group remained on a waiting list. Both groups were reassessed at the end of the intervention. Data were analyzed using multivariate analysis of covariance (MANCOVA). The results showed that the integrated response-oriented program based on moment-to-moment awareness had a significant positive effect on the emotional climate of the families of high-functioning children with autism. In the post-test and follow-up phases, the family emotional climate scores significantly increased (P<0.001), indicating the substantial impact of the program on the long-term improvement of the family emotional climate. Based on these results, the integrated response-oriented program based on moment-to-moment awareness can be utilized by psychologists and counselors to improve the emotional climate of families with autistic children.
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  • Receive Date 18 April 2025
  • Revise Date 20 December 2025
  • Accept Date 26 February 2026