Acceptance and Commitment Therapy for Children with Special Health Care Needs and Their Parents: A Systematic Review and Meta-Analysis

Acceptance and Commitment Therapy for Children with Special Health Care Needs and Their Parents: A Systematic Review and Meta-Analysis

Authors
Parmar, A. Esser, K. Barreira, L. Miller, D. Morinis, L. Chong, Y. E. Y. Smith, W. Major, N. Church, P. Cohen, E. Orkin, J.
Year
2021
Journal
International Journal of Environmental Research and Public Health
Volume
18
Pages
19
Context: Acceptance and Commitment Therapy (ACT) is an emerging treatment for improving psychological well-being. Objective: To summarize research evaluating the effects of ACT on psychological well-being in children with special health care needs (SHCN) and their parents. Data Sources: An electronic literature search was conducted in PubMed, Web of Science, Ovid/EMBASE and PsycINFO (January 2000-April 2021). Study Selection: Included were studies that assessed ACT in children with SHCN (ages 0-17y) and/or parents of children with SHCN and had a comparator group. Data Extraction: Descriptive data were synthesized and presented in a tabular format, and data on relevant outcomes (e.g., depressive symptoms, stress, avoidance and fusion) were used in the meta-analyses to explore the effectiveness of ACT (administered independently with no other psychological therapy) compared to no treatment. Results: Ten studies were identified (child (7) and parent (3)). In children with SHCN, ACT was more effective than no treatment at helping depressive symptoms (standardized mean difference [SMD] = -4.27, 95% CI: -5.20, -3.34; p < 0.001) and avoidance and fusion (SMD = -1.64, 95% CI: -3.24, -0.03; p = 0.05), but not stress. In parents of children with SHCN, ACT may help psychological inflexibility (SMD = -0.77, 95% CI: -1.07, -0.47; p < 0.01). Limitations: There was considerable statistical heterogeneity in three of the six meta-analyses. Conclusions: There is some evidence that ACT may help with depressive symptoms in children with SHCN and psychological inflexibility in their parents. Research on the efficacy of ACT for a variety of children with SHCN and their parents is especially limited, and future research is needed.

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Type of intervention

Early Intervention

Treatment and Child Welfare Interventions

Topic

Mental Health Problems and Disorders

Emotional Problems

Depression and Depressed Mood

Anxiety Problems

Anxiety and Anxiousness

Autism Spectrum Disorder

Biological Risk Factors, Diseases and Symptoms

Somatic Disease

Intervention

Psychological Treatments

Cognitive Behavioral Therapy, Behavioral Therapy and Cognitive Therapy

Age group

School Aged Children (6-12 years)

Adolescents (13-18 years)

More information
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