Abstract
To investigate the effectiveness of interventions that aim to improve the mental health of mothers of children with disabilities. Seven databases were searched. Interventions incorporated primarily cognitive-behavioural, psychoeducation, mindfulness or support-group approaches. The Template-for-Intervention-Description-and-Replication guided descriptions. Meta-analyses using a random effect model of randomized controlled trials assessed intervention effects on parenting stress and mental health. Of the 1591 retrieved papers, 31 met criteria to be appraised and 17 were included in the meta-analysis. Cognitive-behavioural approaches reduced parenting stress [2 studies, n = 64, pooled Standardized-Mean-Difference (SMD) = 0.86, 95% CI (0.43, 1.29)] and improved mental health [3 studies, n = 186, pooled SMD = 1.14, 95% CI (0.12, 2.17)], psychoeducation approaches improved mental health [2 studies, n = 165, SMD = 0.60, 95% CI (0.17, 1.03)]. Cognitive-behavioural and psychoeducation interventions are effective. Further research and clinical guidelines are warranted.
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The authors completed this unfunded study independently.
Author Contributions
HMB-T designed the search terms, identified included studies via covidence via screening of tiles, abstracts and full text reviews including classifying excluded studies; classified modes; extracted intervention details via TIDieR; primary author of whole manuscript. AL conducted the search and transferred retrieved studies to covidence; contributed to mode definitions and classifications; extracted data for tabulated descriptions; conducted metanalysis and sensitivity, and authored specific section of results. LT extracted study data for tabulated descriptions; contributed to mode definitions and classifications; conducted independent quality ratings; extracted and described outcomes measures including tabulating; reviewed manuscript; KJ conducted final search; extracted study data for tabulated descriptions; contributed to mode definitions and classifications; conducted independent quality ratings; PM assisted with search design and systematic review planning; reviewed drafts of manuscript; TH conducted independent review of titles and abstracts in Covidence and reviewed drafts of the manuscript.
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Bourke-Taylor, H.M., Lee, DC.A., Tirlea, L. et al. Interventions to Improve the Mental Health of Mothers of Children with a Disability: Systematic Review, Meta-analysis and Description of Interventions. J Autism Dev Disord 51, 3690–3706 (2021). https://doi.org/10.1007/s10803-020-04826-4
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DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/s10803-020-04826-4