Document Type : Research Paper
Author
Associate Professor, Faculty of Psychology, University of Allameh tabatabaei
Abstract
Research suggests that depression, anxiety and rumination
disorders are among the most important psychological problems in
patients with autism spectrum disorders (ASD). Mindfulness-based
therapy (MBT) has been found effective in reducing anxiety and
depression symptoms, but little research has studied patients with
autism. The present study therefore aimed at examining effects of a
modified MBT protocol (MBT-AS) in high-functioning adults with
ASD. A group of 42 autistic individuals, chosen through convenient
sampling and aging from 15 to 26, were divided into an experimental
(20 individuals) and a control (21 individuals) group. The
experimental group received a treatment protocol based on
mindfulness (Teasedale et al.; revised edition). Data analysis was
carried out using t-test in independent groups, chi-square test and
multivariate variance analysis. Results showed a significant decrease
in depression, anxiety and rumination in the experimental group.
Results also showed that positive affect increased in the experimental
group but not in the control group. The present study is the first
controlled trial for demonstrating that adults with ASD can benefit
from MBT-AS
Keywords
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