The Effects of Parent Training Programs on the Quality of Life and Stress Levels of Parents Raising a Child with Autism Spectrum Disorder: a Systematic Review of the Literature

Parents of children with autism spectrum disorder (ASD) risk higher levels of stress and a lower quality of life compared to parents of typically developing children. Few parent training programs focus on parenting outcomes, and few authors evaluate the implementation fidelity of their program. A systematic review was conducted to target studies assessing the effects of group training programs on the stress levels or quality of life of parents of children with ASD as well as the implementation fidelity. A total of 12 studies were identified. Findings suggest that mindfulness could be a promising parent training tool to improve the well-being of parents of children with ASD.