Parent-child interaction therapy as a therapeutic approach for children with autism spectrum disorder in Japan

Children with autism spectrum disorder (ASD) often face difficulties in parent-child relationships and exhibit problematic behaviors. This study retrospectively examines the effects of standard Parent-Child Interaction Therapy (PCIT) for children with ASD and their caregivers in Japan, focusing on reducing parental stress and children's problematic behaviors.

Eight parent-child dyads with children aged 2.5-7 years with ASD underwent standard PCIT. Measures included the Eyberg Child Behavior Inventory (ECBI), Beck Depression Inventory-II (BDI-II), Parenting Stress Index-Short Form (PSI-SF), and Child Behavior Checklist for Ages 4-18 (CBCL/4-18), assessed pre- and post-treatments.

For parents, ECBI problem score decreased from 16.8 (SD ± 4.4) to 3.0 (SD ± 4.1) pre- and post-treatment (p < 0.05, effect size 1.9). PSI-SF parent section scores dropped from 28.7 (SD ± 7.1) to 22.1 (SD ± 6.2) (p < 0.01, effect size 2.0). The total PSI-SF score from 58.1 (SD ± 10.9) to 45.0 (SD ± 11.1), (p < 0.01, effect size 1.7). For children, ECBI intensity scores decreased from 147.9 (SD ± 20.3) to 85.5 (SD ± 17.7) (p < 0.01, effect size 3.4). PSI-SF child section scores fell from 29.4 (SD ± 4.8) to 22.9 (SD ± 5.8) (p < 0.05, effect size of 1.2), and total CBCL from 70.3 (SD ± 5.9) to 62.0 (SD ± 8.4) (p < 0.05, effect size of 1.5).

The standard PCIT for children with ASD and their parents in Japan significantly reduces parental stress and children's problematic behaviors, improving parent-child interactions.