Fundamentals of Mental Health

Fundamentals of Mental Health

Attachment styles and reflective functioning of mothers with autistic children: The mediating role of mindfulness empowerment

Document Type : Research Paper

Authors
Azadeh Mollashahi 1
Shahrbanoo Aali 2
Ali Mashhadi 3
1 MSc. in general psychology, Faculty of Education and Psychology, Ferdowsi University of Mashhad, Mashhad, Iran.
2 Assistant professor of psychology, Faculty of Education and Psychology, Ferdowsi University of Mashhad, Mashhad, Iran.
3 Professor of psychology, Faculty of Education and Psychology, Ferdowsi University of Mashhad, Mashhad, Iran.
10.22038/jfmh.2024.81875.3157
Abstract
Introduction: This study investigated the mediating roles of mindfulness empowerment in the relationship between attachment styles and reflective functioning in mothers of autistic children.
 
Materials and Methods: In the present study, participants included 200 mothers whose children were diagnosed with autism spectrum disorder (ASD) in the academic year 2020, in Mashhad, Iran. The children's age range was between 3 and 14 years. Mothers filled out the Five Facet Mindfulness Questionnaire (FFMQ), Experience in Close Relationships Revised Questionnaire (ECRQ), and Parental Reflective Functioning Questionnaire (PRFQ). We analyzed the data using structural equation modeling and AMOS version 26.0.
 
Results: The results showed that anxious attachment directly affected mindfulness empowerment and mothers' reflective functioning. However, avoidant attachment only directly affected mindfulness empowerment, but its effect on reflective functioning was insignificant. In addition, both anxious and avoidant attachment had an indirect effect on mothers' reflective functioning through mindfulness empowerment.
 
Conclusion: The findings highlight the important role of mindfulness empowerment in maternal reflective functioning. Therefore, mindfulness empowerment should be considered in addition to attachment styles to promote the reflective functioning of autistic children's mothers.
Keywords
Autism spectrum disorder
Child development
Mindfulness
Parent-child relations
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Fundamentals of Mental Health
Volume 26, Issue 6
2024
Pages 381-389