Effectiveness of Mindfulness-Based Self-Compassion Training on Experiential Avoidance, Self-Kindness, and Emotional Beliefs in Mothers of Children with Autism Spectrum Disorder

Abstract

The objective of the current study was to explore "the impact of mindfulness-based self-compassion training on experiential avoidance, self-kindness, and emotional beliefs in mothers of children with autism spectrum disorder." This research utilized a quasi-experimental approach with a pre-test-post-test design and a control group. The sample consisted of 30 mothers of children with autism spectrum disorder from Shahrud City during the years 1403-1402 (2024-2025), selected through convenience sampling from among those who applied for participation. The research tools used to assess the study variables included the Experiential Avoidance Questionnaire by Gamz and colleagues (2011), Neff's (2003) Self-Compassion Scale, and Jones's (1998) Emotional Beliefs Questionnaire. To analyze the data, multivariate analysis of covariance (MANCOVA), LSD post hoc test, and univariate analysis of covariance (ANCOVA) were employed to assess the effect of self-compassion training on the variables, with SPSS version 26 used for statistical analysis. The findings revealed that mindfulness-based self-compassion training effectively reduced experiential avoidance. Specifically, the group that underwent the self-compassion training exhibited a decrease in experiential avoidance compared to the control group (from 163.46 in the pre-test to 144.00 in the post-test). Additionally, the training was effective in enhancing self-compassion, as the training group showed an increase in self-compassion compared to the control group (from 52.40 in the pre-test to 65.03 in the post-test). Furthermore, the training significantly reduced emotional beliefs, with the group receiving the training showing a decrease in emotional beliefs compared to the control group (from 143.77 in the pre-test to 112.51 in the post-test). Overall, the study concluded that mindfulness-based self-compassion training positively influences experiential avoidance, self-compassion, and emotional beliefs in mothers of children with autism spectrum disorder.

Keywords: self-compassion training, mindfulness, experiential avoidance, self-kindness, emotional beliefs, autism spectrum disorder.