Evidence map›Paper›PMID 41074218›Full record

ArticleBMC psychology2025

Digital health interventions targeting psychological health in parents of children with autism spectrum disorder: a scoping review.

Binbin Ji, Intan Maharani Sulistyawati Batubara, Janene Batten, Xinyi Peng, Sanmei Chen, Zhao Ni

Abstract readScoping Review
In one paragraph

Article in BMC psychology, 2025. The graph could read no effect estimate from its abstract, so it casts no vote on the map. Cited by 2 papers.

0numbers the graph read from it
0cells of the map it votes in
2citing papers in PubMed
–field-weighted citation impact
1 · What the graph read from it

What it found

Each row is one number read from the abstract, on the scale the paper reported it, with its interval. Left of the dashed line favours the treatment, right favours the comparator. Under each row is the sentence it came from. New to these charts? A ten-minute tutorial.

The abstract states no effect estimate the extractor could read, or names no intervention and outcome on the map, so this paper lights no cell and moves no belief. It is still indexed, cited and linked below.

2 · The registry

The trial behind it

Trials whose registry record cites this paper, or whose number appears in the abstract. A trial that started after this paper was published is citing it as background, not reporting it.

Neither the registry nor the abstract names a trial number. If this is a trial report, that itself is worth knowing.

3 · Its place in the literature

Who cites it

2 citing papers in PubMed.

  1. Article
  2. Article
4 · The record

Corrections and comments

PubMed lists nothing against this paper. Absence here is not a guarantee, only a check that was made.

5 · Who and what money

Authors and funding

6 authors.

Binbin JiSchool of Nursing, Hunan University of Chinese Medicine, Changsha, Hunan Province, China.
Intan Maharani Sulistyawati BatubaraSchool of Nursing, Yale University, Orange, CT, United States.
Janene BattenHarvey Cushing/John Hay Whitney Medical Library, Yale University, New Haven, CT, United States.
Xinyi PengSchool of Nursing, Hunan University of Chinese Medicine, Changsha, Hunan Province, China.
Sanmei ChenGlobal Health Nursing, Graduate School of Biomedical and Health Sciences, Hiroshima University, Hiroshima, Japan.
Zhao NiSchool of Nursing, Yale University, Orange, CT, United States. zhao.ni@yale.edu.

Funding

the Young Scientists Fund of the National Natural Science Foundation of China 72304096
6 · The paper itself

Abstract

backgroundResearch consistently shows that parents of children with autism spectrum disorder (ASD) are at a greater risk of psychological difficulties. While various interventions exist to enhance the psychological health of these parents, the potential of digital health interventions (DHIs) in this context remains underexplored.

objectiveThis scoping review aims to examine the availability and effectiveness of DHIs designed to support the psychological health of parents of children with ASD.

methodsA scoping review approach was used to map the available evidence. An expert medical librarian (JB) searched six major databases-(1) CINAHL, (2) Ovid EMBASE, (3) Ovid Global Health, (4) Ovid MEDLINE, (5) Ovid PsycINFO, and (6) Web of Science-to identify studies on ASD, digital health technologies, and intervention outcomes concerning the psychological health of parents of children with ASD. Searches were conducted in June 2024. Three independent reviewers (BJ, IMSB, and XP) conducted study selection and data extraction. The methods and reporting adhered to the PRISMA Extension for Scoping Reviews (PRISMA-ScR) guidelines.

resultsA total of 53 studies published between 2013 and 2024 were identified, examining the effectiveness of DHIs on the psychological health of parents of children with ASD under 18 years of age. Most studies (54.7%) originated from the United States, followed by China (13.2%). In terms of intervention content, the studies primarily focus on parental skill training and support (n = 27), managing children's problem behavior and health (n = 15), and parental psychological health and emotional regulation (n = 11). Regarding intervention methods, the studies were categorized into videoconferencing telehealth, e-learning telehealth, mHealth, and asynchronous telehealth, with Zoom being the most frequently used platform (n = 16). Psychological health outcomes assessed in the included studies were grouped into three dimensions: negative psychological aspects, positive psychological aspects, and overall well-being, with stress being the most frequently assessed variable (n = 37). Significant improvements were reported in 75% of non-controlled studies and 62.1% of controlled studies, supporting the effectiveness of DHIs. All 12 studies assessing long-term effects of DHIs confirmed sustained psychological benefits.

conclusionThis review demonstrates that DHIs are a promising approach for improving the psychological health of parents of children with ASD. While the mechanisms behind their effectiveness remain unclear, DHIs offer accessible, cost-effective, and impactful support. Further research is needed to focus on parents' psychological health and emotional regulation, explore advanced technologies, incorporate positive psychological strategies, and assess both short- and long-term outcomes in order to maximize the potential of DHIs in ASD-related care.

Indexed as

Autism Spectrum DisorderMental HealthParentsChildDigital HealthHumansTelemedicineAutism spectrum disorderDigital health interventionParentsPsychological healthScoping review

Identifiers

PMID41074218
PMCPMC12512936

What OpenQuestion holds

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LicenceCC BY
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Registered trials

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Read under generation 80e0d062 · epoch 390. Bibliography from PubMed, PubMed Central and OpenAlex; grants from NIH RePORTER; trial links from ClinicalTrials.gov; estimates, votes and beliefs from the OpenQuestion graph.