Interventions for parents of children with neurodevelopmental disorders and their effectiveness in self-compassion
DOI:
https://doi.org/10.14295/bjs.v5i8.859Keywords:
self-compassion, parenting, autism, stressAbstract
This systematic review evaluates the efficacy of interventions designed to enhance self-compassion in parents of children with neurodevelopmental disorders (NDDs), a population documented to experience elevated levels of parenting stress. Adhering to PRISMA guidelines, a search of PubMed, Scopus, and PsycINFO (covering the period 2015 to 2025) identified studies evaluating self-compassion educational programs, training, or workshops for parents of children with NDDs. Eligible studies included Randomized Controlled Trials (RCTs) and pre-post designs using a quantitative measure of self-compassion as the outcome. Eight studies were included, featuring varied interventions like Acceptance and Commitment Therapy (ACT), psychoeducation, and Mindfulness-Based approaches. The results suggest that these interventions are generally associated with significant short-term improvements in parental self-compassion and secondary outcomes including reduced stress and depression. However, the current evidence base is limited by methodological heterogeneity. Future research must prioritize rigorous RCTs and longitudinal follow-up to establish sustainable, evidence-based practices for this population.
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Copyright (c) 2026 Foteini Papageorgiou, Filomeni Armakola, Anna Tsiakiri, Theodoros Sergentanis, Panagoula Papadimitropoulou, Ioanna Katsouri, Pinelopi Vlotinou
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