| Title: |
Virtual Group-Based Mindfulness for Autistic Adults: A Randomized Controlled Trial |
| Language: |
English |
| Authors: |
Yona Lunsky (ORCID 0000-0002-1866-9728); Madelaine Carter; Sue Hutton; Jan Wozniak; Sheng Chen; Jonathan Weiss (ORCID 0000-0002-5849-7334) |
| Source: |
Autism: The International Journal of Research and Practice. 2025 29(10):2489-2500. |
| Availability: |
SAGE Publications. 2455 Teller Road, Thousand Oaks, CA 91320. Tel: 800-818-7243; Tel: 805-499-9774; Fax: 800-583-2665; e-mail: journals@sagepub.com; Web site: https://sagepub.com |
| Peer Reviewed: |
Y |
| Page Count: |
12 |
| Publication Date: |
2025 |
| Document Type: |
Journal Articles; Reports - Research |
| Descriptors: |
Metacognition; Autism Spectrum Disorders; Mental Health; Adults; Intervention; Program Effectiveness; Stress Management; Altruism; Well Being; Synchronous Communication; Telecommunications; Anxiety; Depression (Psychology); Group Counseling |
| Assessment and Survey Identifiers: |
Depression Anxiety and Stress Scales |
| DOI: |
10.1177/13623613251340101 |
| ISSN: |
1362-3613; 1461-7005 |
| Abstract: |
There is evidence for mindfulness as a mental health intervention for autistic adults, but most of the research has focused on in-person interventions. This randomized controlled trial evaluated the impact of a 6-week manualized autistic-informed group-based virtual mindfulness intervention in comparison to a waitlist control. Sixty-three autistic adults from across Canada were randomly assigned to treatment or waitlist. Both groups completed surveys prior to randomization, at 7 and 15 weeks, and the waitlist group was followed for two additional time points after receiving mindfulness. We compared outcomes at the first three time points by group using linear mixed models with a secondary analysis including outcome measures from the waitlist group after intervention. Improvements in overall distress and stress, as well as self-compassion, mindfulness, and mental wellbeing were reported in the treatment condition, maintained at follow-up. No changes were reported in the waitlist condition. Neither group reported changes in terms of autistic community connectedness, or interoceptive sensitivity following intervention or follow-up. This study supports the virtual delivery of autistic-informed mindfulness-based programs. Further work could explore the unique benefits of synchronous group-based virtual mindfulness in contrast to more asynchronous ways to build mindfulness skills and in-person instruction. |
| Abstractor: |
As Provided |
| Entry Date: |
2025 |
| Accession Number: |
EJ1482847 |
| Database: |
ERIC |