Efficacy of attachment based parent training program on social cognition in adolescents with high function autism

The purpose of this study was evaluating efficacy of attachment based parent training program on social cognition in adolescents with high function autism.

The method of study was semi-experimental in pretest- posttest with unequal groups design. The statistical population of the study included all mothers and their autistic adolescents who referred to 5 mental health centers in Tehran during the six last months of 1396. 43 mother- child couples were selected through the accessible sampling method and then were randomly assigned into two experimental (21) and control (22 individuals) groups. Attachment-based program performed in mothers in experimental group once a week, mothers in control group were located in waiting list. Research tools were reading mind in the eyes test (affective theory of mind) and Sally–Anne test (cognitive theory of mind) that completed by adolescent in pretest and posttest stages.

results show that attachment based parent training program has resulted in increasing affective theory of mind in adolescent with autism (p<0.009, F=7.25) but it hasn’t have any effects on cognitive theory of mind (p<0.46, F=0.53). 

The main reasons for the effectiveness of the attachment-based program on affective theory of mind can be attributed to the effects of this program on promoting of psychological awareness of the mother and child of each other.