Virtual group-based mindfulness program for autistic women: A feasibility study
Background: Autistic women experience life differently than autistic men. For example, autistic women tend to be diagnosed significantly later than autistic men, they experience a higher number of traumas, and are at increased risk for mental health conditions. Given gender-specific life experiences...
| Main Authors: | , , , , , |
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| Format: | Article |
| Language: | English |
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SAGE Publishing
2022-12-01
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| Series: | Women's Health |
| Online Access: | https://doi.org/10.1177/17455057221142369 |
| _version_ | 1797978395634565120 |
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| author | Brianne Redquest Ami Tint Laura St. John Sue Hutton Pamela Palmer Yona Lunsky |
| author_facet | Brianne Redquest Ami Tint Laura St. John Sue Hutton Pamela Palmer Yona Lunsky |
| author_sort | Brianne Redquest |
| collection | DOAJ |
| description | Background: Autistic women experience life differently than autistic men. For example, autistic women tend to be diagnosed significantly later than autistic men, they experience a higher number of traumas, and are at increased risk for mental health conditions. Given gender-specific life experiences, autistic women may benefit from gender-specific group-based supports. Virtual mindfulness has been shown to be helpful in improving well-being among autistic adults; however, limited research has explored the impact of virtual mindfulness when it is delivered to a group of autistic women only. Objectives: The aim of this article is to describe a preliminary evaluation of a virtual mindfulness group piloted for autistic women. Five key areas of feasibility were assessed in the current study: demand, implementation, acceptability, practicality, and limited efficacy testing. Methods: Twenty-eight women participated in a 6-week virtual autism-informed mindfulness program and were asked to complete measures assessing psychological distress, self-compassion, and mindfulness at pre and post. Participants were also asked to complete a satisfaction survey after the program. Results: Results showed that the program was feasible in terms of demand, implementation, practicality, and acceptability. While quantitative results showed there were no changes in psychological distress, self-compassion, and mindfulness from pre- to post-program, qualitative results showed some benefits. Conclusion: Given the unique challenges that some autistic women experience, offering groups to autistic women may have some value and it would be important to continue exploring this topic area. |
| first_indexed | 2024-04-11T05:22:17Z |
| format | Article |
| id | doaj.art-f7a1a887c89b436ca358fde49dc0b4a1 |
| institution | Directory Open Access Journal |
| issn | 1745-5065 |
| language | English |
| last_indexed | 2024-04-11T05:22:17Z |
| publishDate | 2022-12-01 |
| publisher | SAGE Publishing |
| record_format | Article |
| series | Women's Health |
| spelling | doaj.art-f7a1a887c89b436ca358fde49dc0b4a12022-12-23T17:36:31ZengSAGE PublishingWomen's Health1745-50652022-12-011810.1177/17455057221142369Virtual group-based mindfulness program for autistic women: A feasibility studyBrianne Redquest0Ami Tint1Laura St. John2Sue Hutton3Pamela Palmer4Yona Lunsky5Azrieli Adult Neurodevelopmental Centre, Campbell Family Mental Health Research Institute, Centre for Addiction and Mental Health, Toronto, ON, CanadaAzrieli Adult Neurodevelopmental Centre, Campbell Family Mental Health Research Institute, Centre for Addiction and Mental Health, Toronto, ON, CanadaAzrieli Adult Neurodevelopmental Centre, Campbell Family Mental Health Research Institute, Centre for Addiction and Mental Health, Toronto, ON, CanadaAzrieli Adult Neurodevelopmental Centre, Campbell Family Mental Health Research Institute, Centre for Addiction and Mental Health, Toronto, ON, CanadaAzrieli Adult Neurodevelopmental Centre, Campbell Family Mental Health Research Institute, Centre for Addiction and Mental Health, Toronto, ON, CanadaDepartment of Psychiatry, Temerty Faculty of Medicine, University of Toronto, Toronto, ON, CanadaBackground: Autistic women experience life differently than autistic men. For example, autistic women tend to be diagnosed significantly later than autistic men, they experience a higher number of traumas, and are at increased risk for mental health conditions. Given gender-specific life experiences, autistic women may benefit from gender-specific group-based supports. Virtual mindfulness has been shown to be helpful in improving well-being among autistic adults; however, limited research has explored the impact of virtual mindfulness when it is delivered to a group of autistic women only. Objectives: The aim of this article is to describe a preliminary evaluation of a virtual mindfulness group piloted for autistic women. Five key areas of feasibility were assessed in the current study: demand, implementation, acceptability, practicality, and limited efficacy testing. Methods: Twenty-eight women participated in a 6-week virtual autism-informed mindfulness program and were asked to complete measures assessing psychological distress, self-compassion, and mindfulness at pre and post. Participants were also asked to complete a satisfaction survey after the program. Results: Results showed that the program was feasible in terms of demand, implementation, practicality, and acceptability. While quantitative results showed there were no changes in psychological distress, self-compassion, and mindfulness from pre- to post-program, qualitative results showed some benefits. Conclusion: Given the unique challenges that some autistic women experience, offering groups to autistic women may have some value and it would be important to continue exploring this topic area.https://doi.org/10.1177/17455057221142369 |
| spellingShingle | Brianne Redquest Ami Tint Laura St. John Sue Hutton Pamela Palmer Yona Lunsky Virtual group-based mindfulness program for autistic women: A feasibility study Women's Health |
| title | Virtual group-based mindfulness program for autistic women: A feasibility study |
| title_full | Virtual group-based mindfulness program for autistic women: A feasibility study |
| title_fullStr | Virtual group-based mindfulness program for autistic women: A feasibility study |
| title_full_unstemmed | Virtual group-based mindfulness program for autistic women: A feasibility study |
| title_short | Virtual group-based mindfulness program for autistic women: A feasibility study |
| title_sort | virtual group based mindfulness program for autistic women a feasibility study |
| url | https://doi.org/10.1177/17455057221142369 |
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