ArticleBMC psychology2026
Self-compassion and self-efficacy among parents of children with autism: the mediating role of trust and the moderating role of social support.
Article in BMC psychology, 2026. The graph could read no effect estimate from its abstract, so it casts no vote on the map. Not yet cited in PubMed.
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Abstract
backgroundParents of children with autism often face significant challenges in the parenting process. Self-compassion and self-efficacy serve as crucial psychological resources that contribute to their mental well-being. While existing research has focused on self-compassion and self-efficacy, the psychological mechanisms through which self-compassion influences self-efficacy in parents of children with autism remain to be further explored. This study aims to investigate the relationship between self-compassion and self-efficacy among parents of autistic children, examine the mediating role of trust in this relationship, and assess the moderating effect of social support on the pathway from self-compassion to trust.
methodsIn this study, 400 parents of children with ASD from several rehabilitation institutions for autistic children were recruited in Jiangsu and Zhejiang Provinces in mainland China. Data were collected using a questionnaire method that included the Self-Compassion Scale–Short Form, the Parental Self-Efficacy Scale, the General Trust Scale, and the Multidimensional Scale of Perceived Social Support.
results(1) Self-compassion positively predicts self-efficacy in parents of children with ASD; (2) trust partially mediates the relationship between self-compassion and self-efficacy; and (3) social support moderates the relationship between self-compassion and trust.
conclusionThis study advances understanding of the psychological mechanism underlying parental self-efficacy among parents of children with ASD by integrating self-compassion, trust, and social support within a unified framework. The findings suggest that self-compassion functions as an internal psychological resource that facilitates parents’ sense of efficacy by fostering a more trusting orientation, which helps them cope with parenting challenges more adaptively. Moreover, perceived social support plays a crucial contextual role by shaping the conditions under which self-compassion translates into trust, indicating that external support systems strengthen the effectiveness of self-compassion in the early stage of this psychological process. Together, these results highlight the interactive contribution of internal and external resources in promoting parental self-efficacy and underscore the importance of considering both psychological and social factors when developing interventions for parents of children with ASD.
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