Date of Award

2025

Document Type

Dissertation

Degree Name

Psychology (Ph.D.)

Department

Psychology

First Advisor

Lauren J. Moskowitz

Second Advisor

Mark D. Terjesen

Third Advisor

Imad Zaheer

Abstract

The present study investigated the effects of a culturally and linguistically adapted Positive Family Intervention (PFI) on child behavior as well as parental stress and beliefs for a Spanish-speaking family of a child with autism. PFI combines Positive Behavior Support (PBS) to teach parents the skills to manage their child’s behavioral challenges with Cognitive-Behavioral Therapy (CBT) to help parents manage their own thoughts and feelings. An AB single-case design was used to examine the impact of PFI on directly observed child behavioral challenges and adaptive behavior. Further, parent-reported stress, parental attributions, and parent-reported child behavioral challenges were examined pre- and post-intervention. The parents received eight weekly 90-minute PFI sessions, delivered in Spanish and culturally adapted. Results demonstrated a decrease in observed child challenging behavior and an increase in adaptive behavior during the targeted routine in the intervention phase compared to baseline. On the parent-report scales, the father reported lower levels of stress on the Parenting Stress Index and a change in attributions on the Parent Attribution Questionnaire. However, parent-report on the Scales of Independent Behavior-Revised suggested that, in general, challenging behaviors outside of the targeted routine continue to be a concern. Lastly, the parent reported having a greater understanding of his child's behavior, a greater ability to implement strategies, and feeling more optimistic about his child's future.

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