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Completed

NCT Number: NCT07416903

NT-Based Group Psychoeducation for Parents of Autistic Preschoolers in Türkiye

This pilot randomized study examines the feasibility and preliminary effects of a Naturalistic Teaching (NT)-based group psychoeducation program for parents of autistic preschool children in Türkiye. After providing consent, parents are randomized to one of three conditions: (1) a 10-week NT-based group psychoeducation program delivered weekly (90 minutes per session), (2) a single-session general parenting seminar that does not include autism-specific content (attention control), or (3) a wait-list control group that receives access to intervention materials after the post-test. The primary outcome is parental self-efficacy, assessed using parent-report questionnaires. Outcomes are measured at baseline and post-test, and a later follow-up assessment is used to evaluate whether improvements are maintained. The study also tracks feasibility indicators such as retention and session attendance.

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Key information

Conditions

Autism Spectrum Disorder Child Development Disorders, Pervasive Mental Disorders Neurodevelopmental Disorders Parenting Self-efficacy

Age range

18 year and older

Sex eligibility

All sexes

Study type

Interventional

Phase

Not applicable

Primary location

Kocaeli University, Faculty of Education

Kocaeli, Izmit, 41001, Turkey (Türkiye)

About this study

The intervention is a Naturalistic Teaching (NT)-based group psychoeducation program for parents of autistic preschool children. The program includes 10 weekly sessions (90 minutes each) focused on increasing parents' confidence and skills to use everyday routines to support their child, with emphasis on routine-embedded strategies and parent empowerment. The comparator conditions include an attention control (single-session general parenting seminar) and a wait-list control. The primary outcome is parental self-efficacy; secondary outcomes include feasibility indicators (retention and attendance) and maintenance assessed at follow-up on January 13, 2025.

Who can participate

Healthy volunteers accepted: Yes

Only the study team can determine whether someone qualifies for participation.

Inclusion criteria

Inclusion Criteria:

  • Adult (18 years or older).
  • Primary caregiver (e.g., mother/father) of a preschool-aged child with autism spectrum disorder.
  • Able to attend the sessions (if assigned to the intervention/attention control) and complete study questionnaires.
  • Provides informed consent.

Exclusion criteria

  • Inability to provide informed consent.
  • Insufficient proficiency in Turkish to complete questionnaires and participate in sessions.

Treatment and study plan

NT-Based Group Psychoeducation

Behavioral

A Naturalistic Teaching (NT)-based group psychoeducation program delivered in 10 weekly sessions (90 minutes each) for parents of autistic preschool children, focusing on routine-embedded strategies and parent empowerment.

General Parenting Seminar (Attention Control)

Behavioral

A single-session general parenting seminar (approximately 60 minutes) focusing on general parenting topics without autism-specific content.

Primary outcomes

  1. Parental Self-Efficacy Score (Turkish Early Intervention Parenting Self-Efficacy Scale)

    Time frame: Baseline and 10 weeks (post-test)

    Change in parental self-efficacy from baseline to post-test, assessed using the Turkish Early Intervention Parenting Self-Efficacy Scale (13 items; total score range 13-91; 7-point Likert responses; higher scores indicate greater parental self-efficacy [better outcome]). The scale includes the Accessing Services and Supports and Parenting Strategies subscales.

Secondary outcomes

  1. Retention Rate

    Time frame: Baseline to post-test (end of week 10)

    Baseline and 10 weeks (post-test)

Other outcomes

  1. Parental Self-Efficacy Score at Follow-up

    Time frame: Approximately 9 months after post-test

    Parental self-efficacy assessed at follow-up to examine maintenance of post-test gains, using the Turkish Early Intervention Parenting Self-Efficacy Scale (13 items; total score range 13-91; higher scores indicate greater parental self-efficacy [better outcome]). If follow-up was collected only for the intervention arm, this outcome applies to the intervention arm only.

Sponsors and collaborators

Lead sponsor

Kocaeli University

Other

Registry information

Official study title

A Naturalistic Teaching-Based Group Psychoeducation Program for Parents of Autistic Preschoolers in Türkiye: A Mixed-Methods Pilot Randomized Trial

Important dates

Study start
2023
Primary completion
2024
Study completion
2025
First posted
Feb 18, 2026
Registry last updated
Feb 18, 2026

OpenTrials presents study information sourced from ClinicalTrials.gov. The official registry record should be consulted for the latest information.

View the official ClinicalTrials.gov record (opens in a new tab)

This listing is for discovery and informational purposes only. It is not medical advice, does not guarantee that a study is recruiting, and does not determine eligibility. Contact the study team and a qualified healthcare professional when considering participation.

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