Frontiers in Psychiatry最新文献

{"title":"Untouched: understanding the role of touch in obsessive-compulsive disorder.","authors":"Guy Flavian, Gideon Emanuel Anholt, Leehe Peled-Avron","doi":"10.3389/fpsyt.2025.1603464","DOIUrl":"10.3389/fpsyt.2025.1603464","url":null,"abstract":"<p><p>People with Obsessive-Compulsive Disorder (OCD) engage in a wide array of rituals, including both visible behaviors and mental activities, with some of them involving the sense of touch. However, despite the essential role of touch in physical, emotional, and social interactions, the link between touch and OCD has not been thoroughly examined. This review explores the complex and under-investigated relationship between touch and OCD across three domains: (1) sensory phenomena, including \"just-right\" sensations and tactile over-responsivity; (2) social and interpersonal touch, particularly in the context of avoidance, reassurance-seeking, and comorbidities such as autism spectrum traits; and (3) therapeutic applications, including tactile exposures, mindfulness-based interventions, and somatic practices. We distinguish between discriminatory and affective touch and examine how disruptions in these systems may contribute to symptom expression and maintenance. While empirical research in this area remains limited, we propose a conceptual framework to guide future studies, emphasizing clinical implications for assessment and treatment. Cultural and ethical considerations are also discussed, particularly regarding the use of touch in therapy for individuals with contamination-based OCD.</p>","PeriodicalId":12605,"journal":{"name":"Frontiers in Psychiatry","volume":"16 ","pages":"1603464"},"PeriodicalIF":3.2,"publicationDate":"2025-09-19","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC12491034/pdf/","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"145232340","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":3,"RegionCategory":"医学","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"OA","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}

{"title":"Predicting affective engagement and mental strain from prosodic speech features.","authors":"Vaishnavi Prakash Yache, Laura Moradbakhti, Irene Neuner, Tanja Veselinovic","doi":"10.3389/fpsyt.2025.1656292","DOIUrl":"10.3389/fpsyt.2025.1656292","url":null,"abstract":"&lt;p&gt;&lt;strong&gt;Background: &lt;/strong&gt;Emotional resilience (traditionally defined as the capacity to recover from adversity) and cognitive load (the mental effort for processing information) are critical aspects of mental health functioning. Traditional assessment methods, such as physiological sensors and post-task surveys, often disrupt natural behavior and fail to provide real-time insights. Speech prosody, encompassing pitch, intensity, loudness, and voice activity, offer a non-intrusive alternative for evaluating these psychological constructs. However, the relationship between speech prosody, emotional resilience, and cognitive load remains underexplored, particularly in conversational contexts.&lt;/p&gt;&lt;p&gt;&lt;strong&gt;Objective: &lt;/strong&gt;This study proposes proxy measures for these constructs based on self-reported engagement, enjoyment, boredom, and cognitive effort during dyadic conversation. By leveraging the SEWA (Automatic Sentiment Estimation in the Wild) database, developed through a European research project on emotion recognition, the research seeks to develop machine learning models that correlate speech patterns with subjective self-reports of emotional and cognitive states.&lt;/p&gt;&lt;p&gt;&lt;strong&gt;Methods: &lt;/strong&gt;Prosodic features, such as pitch variation, vocal intensity, and voice activity, were extracted from the SEWA database recordings. These features are then normalized to account for inter-speaker variability and used as predictors in machine learning models. Regression and classification models are employed to correlate speech features with subjective self-reports, which serve as ground truth for Positive Affective Engagement (as a proxy for emotional resilience) and Perceived Mental Strain (as a proxy for cognitive load). Data from English and German speakers are analyzed separately to account for linguistic and cultural differences.&lt;/p&gt;&lt;p&gt;&lt;strong&gt;Outcomes: &lt;/strong&gt;The study establishes a significant relationship between speech prosody and psychological states, demonstrating that Positive Affective Engagement (as a proxy for emotional resilience) and Perceived Mental Strain (as a proxy for cognitive load) can be effectively predicted through prosodic features. Higher emotional resilience is linked to more discernible prosodic patterns in German speech, such as higher loudness and greater voice probability consistency. In contrast, cognitive load prediction remains consistent across English and German datasets.&lt;/p&gt;&lt;p&gt;&lt;strong&gt;Conclusion: &lt;/strong&gt;This research introduces a novel approach for assessing Positive Affective Engagement (as a proxy for emotional resilience) and Perceived Mental Strain (as a proxy for cognitive load) through speech prosody, highlighting the significant impact of language-specific variations. By combining prosodic features with machine learning techniques, the study offers a promising alternative to traditional psychological assessments. The findings emphasize the need for tailored, multilingual models to accurately e","PeriodicalId":12605,"journal":{"name":"Frontiers in Psychiatry","volume":"16 ","pages":"1656292"},"PeriodicalIF":3.2,"publicationDate":"2025-09-19","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC12491004/pdf/","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"145232386","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":3,"RegionCategory":"医学","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"OA","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}

{"title":"Stigma and social withdrawal among colorectal cancer survivors with permanent stomas: the mediating role of social motivation in psychosocial adaptation.","authors":"Qi Yao, Guopeng Li, Zhaolun Dong, Kai Liu, Xiaoling Dong","doi":"10.3389/fpsyt.2025.1600287","DOIUrl":"10.3389/fpsyt.2025.1600287","url":null,"abstract":"<p><strong>Purpose: </strong>Social withdrawal is common among colorectal cancer (CRC) survivors with permanent stomas, and stigma can play an important role in the development of social withdrawal. However, the underlying psychological mechanisms are understudied. The current study examined the associations of stigma with social motivation, and social withdrawal among CRC survivors with permanent stomas.</p><p><strong>Methods: </strong>A cross-sectional survey was conducted with a sample of 305 CRC survivors with permanent stomas. The mediation model was conducted using the PROCESS macro for SPSS to explore the pathways through which stigma can be associated with CRC survivors' social withdrawal, mediated by social motivation.</p><p><strong>Results: </strong>Stigma was negatively associated with social motivation (β = -0.192, P < 0.01) and positively associated with social withdrawal (β = 0.345, P < 0.001). Additionally, social motivation was negatively associated with social withdrawal (β = -0.229, P < 0.001). The mediating effect of social motivation was 0.044, accounting for 11.3% of the total effect.</p><p><strong>Conclusion: </strong>This study is the first to validate the mediating role of social motivation in this population, highlighting its significance in understanding the psychosocial adaptation of CRC survivors with permanent stomas. Future interventions aimed at preventing social withdrawal in this group should focus on tailored motivation activation strategies, particularly by actively fostering social interaction and encouraging new social connections.</p>","PeriodicalId":12605,"journal":{"name":"Frontiers in Psychiatry","volume":"16 ","pages":"1600287"},"PeriodicalIF":3.2,"publicationDate":"2025-09-19","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC12491278/pdf/","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"145232389","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":3,"RegionCategory":"医学","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"OA","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}

{"title":"ParentingWell: adapting a family-focused practice for parents with mental illness.","authors":"Joanne Nicholson, Miriam Heyman, Fernanda Escobar, Katharine Kaplan","doi":"10.3389/fpsyt.2025.1678134","DOIUrl":"10.3389/fpsyt.2025.1678134","url":null,"abstract":"<p><strong>Introduction: </strong>The ParentingWell Practice Approach is a family-focused practice approach for adults who are parents receiving mental health services. The ParentingWell Learning Collaborative (PWLC) was originally developed and tested within the Massachusetts behavioral health service system to prepare and support mental health practitioners in implementing ParentingWell. The purpose of the current study was to systematically adapt ParentingWell, including the PWLC, for further implementation and scaling-out in a new setting with a diverse target population, and address the following question: What are the essential considerations in adapting ParentingWell resources to a diverse, vulnerable, at-risk target population in an urban service delivery context?</p><p><strong>Methods: </strong>We used a participatory approach, developmental evaluation design and mixed methods to document the adaptation process, and to assess preliminary acceptability, fit, and feasibility. The adaptation process included (1) establishment of an Adaptation Team consisting of a diverse and multi-disciplinary team of policy makers and practitioners; (2) review of ParentingWell content by community stakeholders; and (3) piloting of the PWLC model in the new context, with local agency personnel.</p><p><strong>Results: </strong>The Adaptation Team provided guidance related to enhancing the acceptability of ParentingWell and the PWLC, including considerations related to the training format and evaluation methods. Community stakeholders provided suggestions to strengthen the fit of ParentingWell resources, including the creation of plain language resources. Data from PWLC participants indicated that they benefitted from participation in the Learning Collaborative.</p><p><strong>Discussion: </strong>This study provides preliminary evidence for the acceptability, fit, and feasibility of ParentingWell in an urban service context. Future research should include longitudinal data collection with both providers and parents to identify how providers use ParentingWell tools and strategies, and to evaluate the impact of ParentingWell on parents served and their children.</p>","PeriodicalId":12605,"journal":{"name":"Frontiers in Psychiatry","volume":"16 ","pages":"1678134"},"PeriodicalIF":3.2,"publicationDate":"2025-09-19","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC12491307/pdf/","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"145232416","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":3,"RegionCategory":"医学","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"OA","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}

{"title":"Fear learning and generalization in youth with early-stage transdiagnostic psychiatric symptoms and the impact of acute exercise.","authors":"Lise Jennen, Celine Samaey, Zhiling Qiao, Victor Mazereel, Kristof Vansteelandt, Davy Vancampfort, Ruud van Winkel","doi":"10.3389/fpsyt.2025.1657470","DOIUrl":"10.3389/fpsyt.2025.1657470","url":null,"abstract":"<p><strong>Background: </strong>Adolescence and early adulthood represent critical periods for the emergence of psychiatric symptoms, often spanning multiple symptom dimensions. Alterations in fear learning and generalization are implicated in anxiety-related disorders, yet research on these processes in youth with early-stage transdiagnostic psychiatric symptoms remains limited.</p><p><strong>Methods: </strong>This study investigated fear learning and generalization in youth aged 16-24 years with transdiagnostic psychiatric symptoms (anxiety, depressive, and psychotic), as indexed by US expectancy ratings. Additionally, considering the modulatory impact of exercise on memory processes, we explored the effects of a 10-minute moderate-intensity exercise intervention using a randomized between-subject design.</p><p><strong>Results: </strong>Contrary to hypotheses, the symptom group did not show impaired threat-safety discrimination or overgeneralization of fear. However, they exhibited elevated overall threat expectancy during generalization, suggesting that a bias in threat expectancy could represent an early vulnerability in threat processing. Dimensional analyses point to subtle symptom-specific differences in generalization patterns, underscoring the importance of modeling continuous symptom severity alongside group-based comparisons. No significant effects of acute exercise on fear acquisition or generalization were observed.</p><p><strong>Conclusion: </strong>These findings highlight early alterations in threat processing in youth with early-stage psychiatric symptoms. Future research should investigate symptom-specific patterns in fear generalization, track their longitudinal development, and refine exercise interventions to effectively modulate fear processing.</p>","PeriodicalId":12605,"journal":{"name":"Frontiers in Psychiatry","volume":"16 ","pages":"1657470"},"PeriodicalIF":3.2,"publicationDate":"2025-09-19","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC12491019/pdf/","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"145232310","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":3,"RegionCategory":"医学","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"OA","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}

{"title":"Nomogram for estimating the risk of suicide attempts in major depressive disorder: integrating demographic, clinical and biochemical markers - a cross-sectional study.","authors":"Nan Lyu, Qian Zhao, Rina Dutta, Han Wang, Gang Wang, Allan H Young","doi":"10.3389/fpsyt.2025.1634164","DOIUrl":"10.3389/fpsyt.2025.1634164","url":null,"abstract":"<p><strong>Background: </strong>Major depressive disorder (MDD) is a significant risk factor for suicide attempts (SA), making early identification of those most at risk crucial for effective clinical intervention. This study aimed to identify demographic, clinical, and biochemical correlates of SA among inpatients with MDD.</p><p><strong>Methods: </strong>In this cross-sectional study, data were collected from 968 inpatients diagnosed with MDD, including 392 with documented suicide attempts (MDD-SA) and 576 without suicidal behaviors (MDD-NSA). Demographic characteristics, clinical history, and peripheral biochemical markers were analyzed using multivariable logistic regression to assess associations with SA. Variable selection was performed using penalized logistic regression with 10-fold cross-validation, and the selected variables were then entered into a binary logistic regression model to illustrate the relative contribution of significant factors. Model performance was evaluated using the area under the Receiver Operating Characteristic (ROC) curve, calibration plots, and decision curve analysis (DCA).</p><p><strong>Results: </strong>Significant differences were found between MDD-S and MDD-N in marital status (42.3% vs. 57.7%, p = 0.004), alcohol consumption (15.82% vs. 8.85%, p < 0.001), tobacco use (20.67% vs. 13.73%, p = 0.004), education level (p < 0.001), life events (79.59% vs. 65.28%, p < 0.001), and folate levels (p < 0.001). MDD-S patients were more likely to undergo modified electroconvulsive therapy (61.73% vs. 39.41%, p < 0.001) and mood stabilizers (26.02% vs. 18.92%, p = 0.009). The nomogram incorporated tobacco use, alcohol consumption, education level, life events, and folate levels, showing good discrimination (C-index = 0.709, bootstrap = 0.703). ROC analysis demonstrated an AUC of 0.709 (95% CI: 0.677-0.742), and DCA confirmed clinical utility.</p><p><strong>Conclusion: </strong>Several routinely available variables, including tobacco use, alcohol consumption, education level, life events, and folate level, were associated with suicide attempts in MDD inpatients. Our findings highlight these important correlates, which may help clinicians in recognizing patients at elevated risk. The nomogram provided in this study should be regarded only as a visualization to better illustrate the contribution of these factors, rather than as a clinical assessment tool. Prospective multicenter studies are needed for further validation.</p>","PeriodicalId":12605,"journal":{"name":"Frontiers in Psychiatry","volume":"16 ","pages":"1634164"},"PeriodicalIF":3.2,"publicationDate":"2025-09-19","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC12492985/pdf/","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"145232378","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":3,"RegionCategory":"医学","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"OA","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}

{"title":"Analysis of the integration of medical and nursing care and its association with depression and anxiety among medical staff in the Jinhua area.","authors":"An Sheng, TaoTao Yu, YanLi Yu, MengDi Zhang, Ye Zeng, Ling Ye","doi":"10.3389/fpsyt.2025.1616682","DOIUrl":"10.3389/fpsyt.2025.1616682","url":null,"abstract":"<p><strong>Objective: </strong>To evaluate the relationship between implementation of the medical-nursing care integration model and the psychological health (depression and anxiety) of medical staff in the Jinhua area.</p><p><strong>Methods: </strong>A total of 1,022 elderly patients and 182 medical staff from four institutions in Jinhua were surveyed. Patient information, service utilization, and medical costs were collected, while staff familiarity with the Patient-Driven Payment Model (PDPM) and their mental health were assessed using the PHQ-9, GAD-7, and SCL-90 scales. Statistical analyses were conducted to explore associations between PDPM familiarity and psychological outcomes.</p><p><strong>Results: </strong>Most medical staff reported high familiarity with PDPM and successful adaptation to the integrated model. Despite this, nearly 10% of staff experienced symptoms of depression and 8% reported anxiety. Statistical analysis indicated that higher PDPM familiarity was significantly associated with lower rates of depression, anxiety, and overall psychological distress.</p><p><strong>Conclusion: </strong>The integration of medical and nursing care in Jinhua appears to improve not only the efficiency of elderly services but also supports the mental health of medical staff. However, psychological risks remain, highlighting the need for integrated care models to embed ongoing mental health support mechanisms for healthcare professionals.</p>","PeriodicalId":12605,"journal":{"name":"Frontiers in Psychiatry","volume":"16 ","pages":"1616682"},"PeriodicalIF":3.2,"publicationDate":"2025-09-19","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC12491032/pdf/","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"145232189","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":3,"RegionCategory":"医学","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"OA","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}

{"title":"Executive functioning in matrescence and implications for perinatal depression.","authors":"T Roxana Ghadimi, Clare McCormack","doi":"10.3389/fpsyt.2025.1663017","DOIUrl":"10.3389/fpsyt.2025.1663017","url":null,"abstract":"<p><p>The perinatal period represents a time of profound neurobiological, cognitive, and emotional change. While evidence points to the neuroplasticity of matrescence as adaptive in supporting the transition to motherhood, the perinatal period also entails subjective reports of cognitive difficulty known as \"mommy brain\" as well as a heightened vulnerability to mental health challenges. The role of cognition in the etiology of postpartum depression is a promising area of investigation into targets for maternal mental health intervention, considering evidence that important cognitive changes occur during the perinatal period, and given that cognitive alterations are key features of mood disorders. Here we review evidence for cognitive plasticity in matrescence, with a particular focus on executive function (EF) given its overlapping significance for adaptation to parenthood, central role in managing the mental load of motherhood, and implications in mood regulation and mood disorders. We also review evidence for EF changes in perinatal depression and major depressive disorder more broadly. Despite the strong association between EF impairments and major depressive disorder, research on EF changes in perinatal depression remains limited. Understanding normative EF changes during this period is essential for better understanding the relationship between EF, perinatal depression, and the mental load of motherhood. Consideration for these cognitive, neurobiological, and psychosocial factors of matrescence is critical for addressing maternal mental health and developing interventions that support parental well-being.</p>","PeriodicalId":12605,"journal":{"name":"Frontiers in Psychiatry","volume":"16 ","pages":"1663017"},"PeriodicalIF":3.2,"publicationDate":"2025-09-19","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC12490991/pdf/","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"145232190","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":3,"RegionCategory":"医学","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"OA","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}

{"title":"Suicidality and self-harm in adolescents before and after the COVID-19 pandemic: a systematic review.","authors":"Danilo Bastos Bispo Ferreira, Renata Maria Silva Santos, Maria Carolina Lobato Machado, Victhor Hugo Martins Rezende, Patrícia Gazire de Marco, Marco Aurélio Romano-Silva, Débora Marques de Miranda","doi":"10.3389/fpsyt.2025.1643145","DOIUrl":"10.3389/fpsyt.2025.1643145","url":null,"abstract":"<p><strong>Introduction: </strong>Adolescent mental health, self-harm, and suicidality are critical concerns during this developmental stage, marked by intense physical, emotional, and social changes. The COVID - 19 pandemic has further intensified these vulnerabilities by disrupting daily routines, increasing social isolation, limiting access to mental health services, and exacerbating academic and emotional stressors.</p><p><strong>Methods: </strong>This systematic review followed the PRISMA 2020 guidelines and employed the PECO strategy to identify relevant studies. A total of 55 quantitative studies published between 2010 and 2024 were included. These studies examined the prevalence and risk factors of self-harm and suicidal behaviors among adolescents aged 10 to 19 years, comparing findings from the pre-pandemic and pandemic periods. Psychosocial, economic, and cultural determinants were also evaluated.</p><p><strong>Results: </strong>The analysis revealed a consistent increase in self-harm and suicidality during the pandemic, with adolescent girls being disproportionately affected. Gender disparities were observed across diverse cultural contexts. Contributing factors included social isolation, excessive screen time, reduced access to education and healthcare, and increased family or financial stress. Cultural variability shaped both prevalence and clinical expression.</p><p><strong>Discussion: </strong>These findings underscore the amplifying effect of the COVID - 19 pandemic on adolescent mental health vulnerabilities and highlight the need for culturally sensitive, gender-informed preventive strategies. Public policies should prioritize mental health support for youth and address systemic inequities to mitigate the psychological consequences of global crises. This review offers important insights into adolescent mental health in times of collective adversity.</p><p><strong>Clinical trial registration: </strong>PROSPERO https://www.crd.york.ac.uk/prospero/display_record.php?ID=CRD42024538641, identifier CRD42024538641.</p>","PeriodicalId":12605,"journal":{"name":"Frontiers in Psychiatry","volume":"16 ","pages":"1643145"},"PeriodicalIF":3.2,"publicationDate":"2025-09-19","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC12491249/pdf/","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"145232348","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":3,"RegionCategory":"医学","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"OA","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}

{"title":"A nurse-led parental self-efficacy promotion program in parents of children with autism spectrum disorder: a quasi-experimental protocol.","authors":"Yushen Dai, E Zou, Yan Ji, Xiuxian Chen, Miaoying Chen, Kaiyun Chen, Baoqin Huang, Min Xu, Qiuling Guo, Meiling Cai, Tao Deng, Yao Wei, Shaofei Liu, Lifeng Zhang","doi":"10.3389/fpsyt.2025.1411518","DOIUrl":"10.3389/fpsyt.2025.1411518","url":null,"abstract":"<p><strong>Purpose: </strong>Parents of children with autism spectrum disorder (ASD) often lack the knowledge and confidence to implement early intervention. This study will evaluate the effects of a parental self-efficacy promotion program on parenting self-efficacy, parenting stress, intervention compliance, and family quality of life for parents of children with ASD.</p><p><strong>Design and methods: </strong>This two-arm, pretest, post-test quasi-experimental study recruits 80 parents in one tertiary hospital in China. The control group receives routine care, and the intervention group receives a 1-month self-efficacy promotion program on the basis of usual care. This program consists of one face-to-face session and three online sessions, supplemented by a written pamphlet. Content includes goal setting, experience sharing, verbal encouragement, and mobilizing of positive emotions.</p><p><strong>Conclusion: </strong>This study will empower the nurses as leaders to promote the well-being of parents of children with ASD and improve the early family intervention for their child by providing a parental self-efficacy promotion program.</p><p><strong>Practice implications: </strong>Parents need support to implement intervention in the family for their child with ASD. A nurse-led program targeted at improving parental self-efficacy is worth considering.</p>","PeriodicalId":12605,"journal":{"name":"Frontiers in Psychiatry","volume":"16 ","pages":"1411518"},"PeriodicalIF":3.2,"publicationDate":"2025-09-19","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC12491003/pdf/","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"145232001","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":3,"RegionCategory":"医学","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"OA","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}