Effectiveness of Counseling Interventions on Family Functioning: Enhances Daily Routine, Stress Management, and Coping among Parents of Children with Autism

Abstract

The current study inspected the efficiency of structured counseling interferences in reducing family burden and cultivating daily working between parents of children identified with Autism Spectrum Disorder (ASD). Parenting a child with autism is frequently linked with high psychological stress, disturbed family practices, and imperfect managing resources, which may destructively disturb both parental well-being and family dynamics. The study employed a quasi-experimental pre-test and post-test design with a goal-directed sample of 43 parents of children with ASD. Standardized measures, as well as the Family Functioning Questionnaire (FFQ) and the Perceived Stress Scale (PSS), were administered earlier and afterward the intervention to measure Family Functioning and stress levels. The counseling intervention encompassed psychoeducation, stress management training, emotional regulation techniques, problem-solving skills, and approaches for establishing organized daily practices and adaptive coping mechanisms. Descriptive statistical analysis revealed an extensive reduction in Family Functioning cuts from pre-test (M = 112.86, SD = 12.74) to post-test (M = 85.47, SD = 14.61). Similarly, perceived stress scores reduced from pre-test (M = 28.70, SD = 4.12) to post-test (M = 18.56, SD = 4.21), representing enhanced stress management following counseling intervention. Statistical test names would be mention here, for example T-test (regression/ANOVA or other test) was applied on the correlational analysis exhibited no significant relationship between pre-test Family Functioning and stress levels, r = .118, p> .05, whereas post-test findings indicated a weak negative relationship, r = –.207, p> .05. Gender comparisons demonstrated significant differences in post-test Family Functioning scores, t(41) = –2.71, p< .05, with female parents reporting greater enhancement compared to male parents. Qualitative responses further supported the quantitative conclusions, highlighting themes of improved emotional resilience, amplified parental consciousness, improved coping capabilities, and condensed emotional state of feebleness. According to the findings of present study, organized counseling interventions are effective in reducing parental stress, refining coping approaches, and enhancing family effectiveness amongst parents of children with autism. The study highlights the reputation of reachable emotional provision services for families raising children with ASD. Future research using larger samples and longitudinal designs is suggested to additional authenticate these conclusions.