A cognitive intervention program for reduction of stress in parents of children with intellectual and multiple disabilities: the effect on behavior problems and program adaptation through COVID-19 pandemic

Abstract

 Much evidence suggests that parents of children with special needs have elevated levels of stress when confronting with children’s problems. This article presents a validation of a multimodal cognitive program for reducing parental stress in parents and children behavior problems of children with special needs that can be applied during COVID-19 pandemic. A study including 63 parents of children with special needs shows that the program is effective both in reducing parental stress and children’s behavior problems reported by parents. Recommendations for the online use of the program and adaptations to the COVID-19 pandemic characteristics are made.