Effect of individual psychoeducation for primary caregivers of children with autism on internalized stigma and care burden: a randomized controlled trial

This study aims to determine the effects of a six-week individual psychoeducation program provided to primary caregivers of children with autism on stigma and care burden. The study was conducted with 88 primary caregivers (experimental group n = 45, control group n = 43) of children diagnosed with autism. The study, prepared in an experimental design with a pretest, posttest, and control group, was performed between 17 June 2021 and 17 January 2022. In the study, a six-week individual psychoeducation was given to the experimental group. Study data were collected using a personal information form, the Internalized Stigma of Parents in Mental Illness Scale (ISPMIS), and the Caregiver Burden Scale (CBS).The mean pretest ISPMIS total score of the experimental group was (Formula presented.) =105.756 and the posttest total score after the psychoeducation was (Formula presented.) =66.489,which was a significant decrease (t = 25.571; p < 0.05). The mean CBS pretest total score of the experimental group was (Formula presented.) =61.067 and the posttest total score was (Formula presented.) =31.667, which was a significant decrease (t = 17.499;p < 0.05). The study revealed that the six-week individual psycho education provided to primary caregivers of children with autism decreased the participants’ internalized stigma and perceived care burden.