Journal of health oriented Islamic life style

Journal of health oriented Islamic life style

Effectiveness of the Protocol for Empowering Families of Individuals with Autism Against Perceived Stigma with a Positive Islamic Psychology Approach

Document Type : Original Article

Authors
Sedigheh Rezaei Dehnavi 1
Zeinab Khaki 2
Vajihe Rabie 3
1 Department of Psychology, Payamr Noor university, Tehran, Iran
2 Master of science in Islamic Psychology, Positive Orientation, Payam Noor University. Tehran. Iran
3 Mystical Persian Language and Literature, Payam Noor University, Tehran, Iran
Abstract
Background and objective: The number of children with autism spectrum disorder is increasing in the world. Autism stigma is a common challenge for mothers in caring for their children. Autism stigma affects the mental health of parents and weakens self-esteem and increases anxiety and other mood disorders in them. Empowering these mothers is essential. The aim of this study was to determine the effectiveness of positive psychology training with an Islamic approach on empowering families of autistic individuals against perceived stigma.
Methods and Materials: The research method is a semi-experimental pre-test-post-test with a control group. The statistical population was mothers with children with autism spectrum disorder under the coverage of the Welfare Organization of Rey County, Tehran. 30 mothers with autistic children were selected using the convenience sampling method and randomly assigned to the experimental and control groups. The measurement tools were the questionnaires "Internalized Stigma in Mothers of Autistic Children" by Rezaei et al. (2015), Rosenberg's Self-Esteem (1965) and Goldberg-Whiler's General Health (1979). The data were analyzed using SPSS27 software at two levels of descriptive statistics (mean and standard deviation) and inferential statistics (analysis of covariance).
Results: The results showed that Islamic positivity training is effective in increasing mental health, mothers' self-esteem and reducing perceived stigma.
Conclusion: Considering the effectiveness of the protocol for empowering families of autistic individuals against perceived stigma with an Islamic-positive psychology approach, its use is recommended.
 
 
Keywords
autism, perceived stigma, mothers' empowerment, Islamic-positive psychology
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Journal of health oriented Islamic life style
Volume 9, Issue 4
Winter 2026
Pages 301-312