Giving thanks: Findings from a gratitude intervention with mothers of children with autism spectrum disorder

Abstract

BackgroundGratitude is a character strength related to greater well-being in the general population; however, it has not been studied extensively in mothers of children with autism spectrum disorder (ASD). Therefore, an online, writing-based gratitude intervention was conducted with mothers of children with ASD. MethodVarious areas of well-being were assessed immediately prior to and after the intervention and at a one-month follow-up for 64 mothers of children with ASD. The study participants were divided into two intervention groups and a control group. Participants in each group were asked to complete a weekly writing activity for eight weeks and were included in the study if they completed assessments at all three major time points. ResultsAcross all conditions, including the life events control group, mothers improved in well-being, parenting self-efficacy, positive maternal characteristics, and relationship quality. Group differences were found only for parenting satisfaction. Changes in reported child behavior problems were non-significant. ConclusionsFindings suggest improvement in several areas of well-being following the gratitude intervention with mothers of children with ASD. However, positive changes were seen in the control group, as well. Therefore, it is possible that some other aspect of the intervention, such as written personal disclosure is driving improvements in well-being. Implications for positive psychology intervention research are discussed.