The Impact of Psychoeducation on Intolerance of Uncertainty and Psychological Problems among Caregivers of Children with Autism

Autism is a neurodevelopmental disorder that severely impacts children and their caregivers. Families, especially parents, caring for children with autism face substantial physical, mental, and social difficulties. Children with autism are more likely to develop anxiety and other mental health issues.

This study aimed to investigate the impact of a psychoeducational intervention on intolerance of ambiguity and symptoms of mental health difficulties in caregivers of children with autism. A quasi-experimental research design was used. From the Zagazig University Hospital child psychiatric outpatient clinic, a convenience sample of 25 caregivers who accompanied their autistic children receiving therapy in the study settings was obtained. Further, sociodemographic questions, the Intolerance of Uncertainty Scale, and the Depression Anxiety Stress Scales (DASS-21) were used.

The result indicated that the caregivers were mostly female (72%), with a mean age of 39.92±8.96 years and a range of 26 to 55 years old. Most of the children were below the age of 10, with a mean±SD of 9.43±3.46, with the disease duration ranging from 1.7 to 12 years. About 36% of them had a concomitant disease with autism. Meanwhile, over half of them got mental or behavioral treatments (52%), while 48% received speech therapy. From pre- to post-intervention, there were significant reductions in caregivers’ intolerance of uncertainty and symptoms of depression, anxiety, and stress.

A psychoeducational intervention significantly reduced caregivers’ intolerance of uncertainty and symptoms of mental health difficulties. Training nurses and clinical psychologists to administer effective stress management techniques, for example, through a nurse-led parent-to-parent support group, could be integral to reducing stress and anxiety in caregivers.