Development of an Educational Package for a Meta-Parenting Model Based on the Lived Experiences of Successful Mothers of Children with Autism Spectrum Disorder

Abstract

The present study aimed to develop an educational package for a meta-parenting model based on the lived experiences of successful mothers of children with Autism Spectrum Disorder (ASD). The research adopted a qualitative design using a phenomenological approach. The study setting comprised all mothers of children diagnosed with ASD who, at the time of the study, had referred to autism organization, treatment, and rehabilitation centers in the city of Kermanshah during 2024. To develop the educational package for the meta-parenting model, semi-structured interviews were conducted with 17 mothers of children with ASD, selected through snowball sampling until theoretical saturation was achieved. The interview texts were analyzed using thematic analysis. In the qualitative phase, four main themes (individual and psychological strategies, spousal understanding and support, mothers’ support networks, and religious beliefs and convictions) and 15 subthemes were extracted. Based on the findings, the educational package of the meta-parenting model can be used alongside the positive parenting approach as an effective intervention to reduce parent–child conflicts and improve positive interactions among mothers of children with ASD, and through family-based psychological support, enhance mothers’ empowerment in managing parenting challenges.