Effectiveness of parent-child interaction therapy on parental self-efficacy of mothers of children with high-functioning autism

The aim of this study was to explore any possible effect of Parent-Child Interaction Therapy (PCIT) on parental self-efficacy (PSE) of mothers of children with high functioning autism (HFA).

This study follows a single-subject semi-experimental design. Recruitment was based on access ability. PCIT, developed by Eyberg (1999), was applied on five mother-child pairs in the Center of Treatment for Autistic Children, for about 17 weeks. PSE was assessed by the Early Intervention Parenting Self-Efficacy Scale (EIPSES, Guimond, Wilcox & Lamorey, 2008) during one baseline assessment; one assessment between the two stages of intervention; one week after treatment termination; and two follow-up assessments.

findings indicated that PSE was improved low to moderately (0.49 to 50%) on four mothers, and it was reduced about 5.49% in one of them. However, mothers seem to be satisfied from PCIT (80 to 88%).

PCIT has low to moderate effect size on mother's PSE. In accordance to the limitated efficacy of this treatment, Examining the efficacy of other programs that are primarily concentated on mother's PSE in autism spectrum disorders has to be aimed in future studies.