Feasibility of a Resilience-Enhancement Program Combined with mHealth Among Vietnamese Mothers of Children with Autism Spectrum Disorder

Abstract

Background: Providing care for children with Autism Spectrum Disorder (ASD) presents unique challenges for mothers due to behavioral management needs and significant emotional and financial strains. Therefore, these mothers require greater support especially resilience enhancement.  Objectives: This pilot feasibility study aimed to evaluate the feasibility and acceptability of a resilience-enhancement program combined with mHealth (RE-mHealth) among Vietnamese mothers of children with Autism Spectrum Disorder (ASD), and to explore preliminary changes in parenting stress, resilience, and parenting self-efficacy. Methods: A two-group pilot randomized feasibility study with pre- and posttest assessments was used. Vietnamese mothers of children with ASD were randomly allocated to the intervention (n=5) or control (n=5) group using sequentially numbered, opaque, sealed envelopes (SNOSE). This intervention focused on promoting mindfulness, resilience, and parenting support. It was delivered through a hybrid format that combined face-to-face and mobile-based approaches. The feasibility outcomes included recruitment, retention, implementation processes, and participants’ feedback collected through open-ended questions after the intervention. Parenting stress, resilience, and parenting self-efficacy were assessed using the Autism Parenting Stress Index (APSI), Connor–Davidson Resilience Scale (CD-RISC-25), and revised Parenting Sense of Competence Scale (PSOC-R). Recruitment and retention were satisfactory, with all participants completing the study.  Results: Preliminary changes were observed in the intervention group, resilience increased from 63.40 to 75.90 (+20.6%), parenting stress decreased from 38.60 to 27.10 (−29.8%), and parenting competence increased from 52.60 to 64.80 (+23.2%). Smaller changes were observed in the control group (64.10 to 67.60; 37.90 to 34.90; and 53.10 to 56.70, respectively). Participants generally reported positive experiences; however, unstable internet connections and some interruptions due to childcare responsibilities during sessions were reported.  Conclusion: The RE-mHealth intervention appeared feasible and acceptable within real-world caregiving contexts. Embedding mental health support into child-focused care settings may enhance engagement and should be further evaluated. These preliminary findings support further refinement and testing in a fully powered randomized controlled trial.