Self-compassion workshop: impact on family well-being

Why

Research shows that improving the self-compassion levels of parents can improve both parent and child well-being.

In this research study, we will explore whether or not a self-compassion workshop can improve the well-being of both parents of Autistic children and their children.

Does participating in a self-compassion workshop improve the well-being of parents of Autistic children? Does the well-being of their children improve?

Take part

We invite parents of Autistic children to join us for a 2.5-hour group online workshop on self-compassion. The workshops will be held in the second half of 2024.

The study is suitable for people who are:

• parents of an Autistic child aged 3 to 17 living in Australia
• parents with low to moderate levels of self-compassion (you don’t need to worry about this – we will calculate your self-compassion score based on your responses in the suitability survey)
• able to attend one of the pre-organised workshop times.

Parents will be asked to complete a suitability survey (takes about 5 minutes). If the workshop is suitable for you, you will be asked to:

• complete a pre-workshop online survey (takes about 20 minutes)
• attend a 2.5-hour group online workshop in the second half of 2024
• practise the self-compassion strategies you have learned over two weeks at your own pace
• complete a final online survey two weeks after the workshop (takes about 20 minutes)

• Optional: participate in an online or phone interview two weeks after the workshop (takes about 30 minutes) about your feedback on the workshop and your experiences of practising self-compassion.

Making a difference

This is the first research study to explore whether or not a self-compassion workshop can improve the well-being of both parents of Autistic children and their children.

Research team

• Dr Ru Ying Cai, Adjunct Research Fellow at La Trobe University and Research Fellow at Aspect
• Dr Chris Edwards, Adjunct Research Fellow at Griffith University and Research Fellow at Aspect
• Dr Abigail Love, Research Fellow at Aspect
• Dr Vicki Gibbs, Head of Research at Aspect
• Dr James Kirby, Co-Director of the Compassionate Mind Research Group at University of Queensland
• Dr Gail Alvares, Senior Researcher at CliniKids

Funding

Aspect

Ethics approval

Griffith University Ref No: 2024/101