Parents' Emotional Journey Throughout Their Participation in a Well-Being Support Group Intervention.

Background: Family carers often lack support for their own well-being as they navigate diagnostic and early intervention services for intellectual and developmental disabilities.

Methods: This study explored the emotional journey of carers during Early Positive Approaches to Support, an 8-week group program. Participants journaled their emotional experiences at the beginning and end of each session.

Results: There was a significant increase in comfortable emotions and a decrease in uncomfortable emotions by the program's end.

Conclusions: These findings suggest that the program improved carers' ability to self-regulate their emotions and manage challenges. This study also highlights the value of self-observation to understand carers' emotional landscapes in interventions targeting their well-being.