Volume 16, Issue 4 (December 2018)                   Iranian Rehabilitation Journal 2018, 16(4): 379-386 | Back to browse issues page

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Ramshini M, Hassanzadeh S, Afrooz G, Hashemi Razini H. The Effect of Family-Centered Nature Therapy on Interactions Between Parent and Child With Autism Spectrum Disorder. Iranian Rehabilitation Journal 2018; 16 (4) :379-386
URL: http://irj.uswr.ac.ir/article-1-884-en.html
The Effect of Family-Centered Nature Therapy on Interactions Between Parent and Child With Autism Spectrum Disorder
Maryam Ramshini1 , Saeid Hassanzadeh * 2, Goholamali Afrooz2 , Hadi Hashemi Razini3
1- Department of Psychology, Faculty of Literature Humanities and Social Sciences, Science and Research Branch, Islamic Azad University, Tehran, Iran.
2- Department of Psychology, Faculty of Psychology and Education, University of Tehran, Tehran, Iran.
3- Department of Psychology, Faculty of Psychology and Education, Kharazmi University, Tehran, Iran.
Abstract:   (5503 Views)
Objectives: Parents of Autism Spectrum Disorder (ASD) children often have a negative attitude towards themselves. They are often negatively affected by these challenges and the failure of their children. Thus, their interaction with their children is negatively influenced. The present study aimed to investigate the potential effect of family-centered nature therapy on the interaction of parents with their children.
Methods: The present research was a quasi-experimental study with pre-test and post-test design and a control group. Statistical population included all ASD children aged 3-7 years in Tehran city, Iran. A sample of 14 children with ASD were selected through convenience sampling method. The subjects were non-randomly assigned into either the experimental or control groups. The necessary data were collected through Parent-Child Relationship Scale (PCRS) and the program of nature therapy developed on the basis of the current theoretical frameworks and research findings. The collected data were subjected to descriptive statistical analyses and Analysis of Covariance (ANCOVA).
Results: The obtained results suggested that the Mean±SD score of experimental group on PCRS after the treatment was 100.14±11.82. While the Mean±SD score of the control group was 84.14±3.93. Moreover, the results of the statistical tests revealed that the difference between the experimental and control groups was statistically significant, indicating that the family-centered nature therapy was effective in improving the parents’ interactions with their ASD children. In addition, the ANCOVA results indicated that the estimated F (13.32) was statistically significant at P=0.001, indicating that the treatment had a positive effect on the dependent variable.
Discussion: Family-centered nature therapy was effective in improving the parents’ relationship with their children. The ASD children had fewer conflicts with their parents, enjoyed a positive relationship with their parents, and showed lower dependence on their parents after receiving the treatment. Therefore, this therapy can be a complementary method along with other standard treatments received by ASD children. It is an effective, simple and readily accessible option to improve the interaction of parents with their ASD children.
Keywords: Autism, Family-centered, Eco therapy
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Article type: Original Research Articles | Subject: Exceptional Children
Received: 2018/04/26 | Accepted: 2018/08/15 | Published: 2018/10/1
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