Autism Spectrum DisorderNCT07124091
The Effect of a Micro-Appreciation Intervention (Three-Things Journal Application) on Caregiver Burden, Family Functioning, and Happiness Levels for Mothers of Children With Autism Spectrum Disorder
A study testing Positive Event Writing Intervention in people with Autism Spectrum Disorder and Parental Stress, run by Cukurova University at 1 site in Turkey (Türkiye).
Trial summary
Autism Spectrum Disorder (ASD) is a neurodevelopmental disorder in which individuals experience significant difficulties in social interaction, communication, and repetitive behaviors. Read more about this study
- Who is it for?
- Ages 18 to 75 years, women onlyHealthy volunteers can take part
- Conditions the study is for
- Autism Spectrum Disorder, Parental Stress
- What is being tested?
- Positive Event Writing Intervention
- Type of treatment
- Lifestyle or therapy programme
- Could I receive a placebo?
- No, everyone receives an active treatment
- How many people
- 126 participants
- Where
- 1 siteTurkey (Türkiye)
- Study dates
- 30 May 2025to 30 Aug 2025
- Phase
- Interventional
- Are there results?
- None posted in the registry
Key requirements
Who can take part, as listed by the sponsor. Only the study team can confirm whether you are eligible, so take this list to your doctor.
- Ages 18 to 75 years
- Women only
- Healthy volunteers accepted
- Adult, Older adult
Who may be able to join
- Age 18 years or older
- Willing to participate in the study
- Able to read and understand Turkish
- Being a mother of a child with special needs
Who cannot join
- Younger than 18 years
- Unwilling to participate in the study
- Unable to read or understand Turkish
- Not having a child with special needs
Trial locations and contacts
1 site in 1 country.
About this study
Autism Spectrum Disorder (ASD) is a neurodevelopmental disorder in which individuals experience significant difficulties in social interaction, communication, and repetitive behaviors. Families of children with ASD, especially mothers, face a high level of physical, emotional, and psychological caregiving burden while trying to adapt to their children's developmental needs. Constant caregiving responsibilities increase the risk of burnout, stress, and depression in mothers, while also negatively impacting family functioning and life satisfaction. Mothers of children with ASD require greater emotional resilience, self-regulation, and social support than those in traditional parenting roles.
In this context, interventions that support psychological well-being offer important strategies that can help mothers cope with the burden of care. In recent years, positive psychology-based interventions have been shown to positively contribute to individuals' mental health and are effective in increasing subjective well-being. Positive psychology approaches help individuals recognize and focus on the positive aspects of their lives, reducing stress levels and increasing psychological resilience. One such approach, micro-appreciation interventions, aims to increase individuals' positive emotional experiences by consciously focusing on small but significant positive events they encounter in their daily lives. Micro-appreciation interventions change individuals' perceptual frameworks, encouraging them to focus on positive moments instead of negative experiences. Such interventions stand out as an effective method for reducing the psychological and physiological effects of stress, increasing positive emotions, and improving overall life satisfaction.
One micro-appreciation intervention, the "Three Things Journal," is a simple yet effective strategy that involves individuals writing down three positive events they appreciate in their lives each day. Research has shown that this practice is effective in increasing individuals' awareness of positive experiences, reducing levels of depression and anxiety, and increasing subjective well-being. Regularly experiencing positive emotions strengthens individuals' ability to cope with challenges and increases their psychological resilience and optimism. Especially for individuals under intense stress, such small but regular practices can yield greater psychological benefits in the long term.
- Conditions
- Autism Spectrum Disorder, Parental Stress
- Being tested
- Positive Event Writing Intervention
- Medical subject headings
- Autism Spectrum Disorder
What participants receive
What participants receive. In a randomised study each person is assigned to one group by chance.
Positive Event Writing InterventionBehavioural
Mothers in the intervention group will be asked to write down three positive events each day for four weeks as part of a positive psychology journaling activity..
| Study group | Role | What they receive |
|---|---|---|
| Positive Event Writing Intervention Group | Experimental | Mothers in this group will be asked to write down three positive events each day for four weeks as part of a positive psychology journaling intervention. Receives: Behavioral: Positive Event Writing Intervention |
| Control Group | No intervention | Mothers in the control group will not receive any intervention. |
What is being measured
The primary outcome is the main question the study is designed to answer.
Change in Happiness Levels as Measured by the Oxford Happiness Questionnaire - Short Form (OHQ-SF)
The Oxford Happiness Questionnaire - Short Form (OHQ-SF) is a 7-item scale used to assess individual levels of happiness. Each item is rated on a Likert scale. Total scores range from 0 to 28, with higher scores indicating greater happiness. The Turkish adaptation was validated by Doğan and Çötok (2011) with a reliability coefficient (Cronbach's alpha) of .74 and test-retest reliability of .85.
Measured: Baseline and Week 5
Change in Caregiver Burden as Measured by the Zarit Burden Interview (ZBI)
The Zarit Burden Interview (ZBI) is a 22-item self-report instrument assessing perceived burden among caregivers. Each item is scored from 0 ("Never") to 4 ("Nearly Always") using a 5-point Likert scale. The total score ranges from 0 to 88, with higher scores indicating greater caregiver burden. The Turkish version was validated by İnci and Erdem (2007), with a Cronbach's alpha of .90.
Measured: Baseline and Week 5
Change in Family Functioning as Measured by the Family APGAR Scale
The Family APGAR Scale is a 5-item measure of satisfaction with family functioning across five dimensions: adaptability, partnership, growth, affection, and resolve. Each item is rated on a 3-point scale from 0 ("Rarely") to 2 ("Almost always"). Total scores range from 0 to 10, with higher scores indicating greater satisfaction with family functioning. Scores between 0-3 suggest low satisfaction, 4-6 moderate satisfaction, and 7-10 high satisfaction. The Turkish version was validated by Özcan et al. (2011), with a Cronbach's alpha of .793.
Measured: Baseline and Week 5
Timeline
From the start of the study to its completion; the mark is today. Estimated dates are the sponsor’s plan.
- First posted15 Aug 2025
- Study start30 May 2025
- Primary completion30 Aug 2025
- Study completion30 Aug 2025
Resources
- Official record on ClinicalTrials.govThe registry entry this page is built from, with its full change history.
- Publications (1)Papers the sponsor has linked to this study.
- Other trials for Autism Spectrum DisorderStudies of the same condition, open and under way.
- What the trial phases meanHow a treatment moves from first tests in people to approval.
More details
For doctors and researchers: how the study is designed, who runs it, and its registry IDs.
Study design
- Study type
- Interventional
- Phase
- Phase N/A
- Primary purpose
- Health services research
- Allocation
- Randomised
- Intervention model
- Parallel groups
- Model description
- Randomyzed control
- Masking
- Double blind
- Who is masked
- Participant, Investigator
- Enrolment
- 126 participants (actual)
Sponsor and investigators
- Lead sponsor
- Cukurova University
- Sponsor type
- University, hospital or other
- Responsible party
- Principal investigator, MÜJDE KERKEZ, Cukurova University
IDs, dates and publications
- ClinicalTrials.gov ID
- NCT07124091
- Sponsor's protocol ID
- 0000-0002-5515-2752
- Status last verified
- Aug 2025
- First submitted
- 28 Jul 2025
- Last updated
- 20 Oct 2026
- Results posted
- No
- Data monitoring committee
- No
- FDA-regulated drug
- No
- FDA-regulated device
- No
- Individual data sharing
- No: In this study, the names of the studies will be shared in accordance with the rules of the Declaration of Helsinki and the study results will be presented with analyses.
Publications
Kerkez M, Sanli ME. The effect of the micro-appreciation training-based 'three things diary' intervention for mothers of children with autism spectrum disorder on care burden, family functioning, and happiness levels: An experimental study. J Pediatr Nurs. 2026 May-Jun;88:148-161. doi: 10.1016/j.pedn.2026.02.024. Epub 2026 Feb 26.
PubMed 41759231
Study at a glance
From the registry record, last updated by the sponsor on 20 Oct 2026. Recruitment status is as the sponsor reported it: confirm with the study team.
- Official title
- The Effect of a Micro-Appreciation Intervention (Three-Things Journal Application) on Caregiver Burden, Family Functioning, and Happiness Levels for Mothers of Children With Autism Spectrum Disorder
- ClinicalTrials.gov ID
- NCT07124091
- Acronym / sponsor ID
- 0000-0002-5515-2752
- Conditions
- Autism Spectrum Disorder, Parental Stress
- Study type
- Interventional
- Recruitment status
- Completed
- Enrolment
- 126 participants (actual)
- Lead sponsor
- Cukurova UniversityUniversity, hospital or other
- Study start
- 30 May 2025 (actual)
- Primary completion
- 30 Aug 2025 (actual)
- Study completion
- 30 Aug 2025 (actual)
- First posted
- 15 Aug 2025 (actual)
- Results
- Not posted in the source record
Clinical summary
The research question as the sponsor registered it. This describes what the study plans to test, not what it found.
Autism Spectrum Disorder (ASD) is a neurodevelopmental disorder in which individuals experience significant difficulties in social interaction, communication, and repetitive behaviors. Families of children with ASD, especially mothers, face a high level of physical, emotional, and psychological caregiving burden while trying to adapt to their children's developmental needs. Constant caregiving responsibilities increase the risk of burnout, stress, and depression in mothers, while also negatively impacting family functioning and life satisfaction. Mothers of children with ASD require greater emotional resilience, self-regulation, and social support than those in traditional parenting roles.
In this context, interventions that support psychological well-being offer important strategies that can help mothers cope with the burden of care. In recent years, positive psychology-based interventions have been shown to positively contribute to individuals' mental health and are effective in increasing subjective well-being. Positive psychology approaches help individuals recognize and focus on the positive aspects of their lives, reducing stress levels and increasing psychological resilience. One such approach, micro-appreciation interventions, aims to increase individuals' positive emotional experiences by consciously focusing on small but significant positive events they encounter in their daily lives. Micro-appreciation interventions change individuals' perceptual frameworks, encouraging them to focus on positive moments instead of negative experiences. Such interventions stand out as an effective method for reducing the psychological and physiological effects of stress, increasing positive emotions, and improving overall life satisfaction.
One micro-appreciation intervention, the "Three Things Journal," is a simple yet effective strategy that involves individuals writing down three positive events they appreciate in their lives each day. Research has shown that this practice is effective in increasing individuals' awareness of positive experiences, reducing levels of depression and anxiety, and increasing subjective well-being. Regularly experiencing positive emotions strengthens individuals' ability to cope with challenges and increases their psychological resilience and optimism. Especially for individuals under intense stress, such small but regular practices can yield greater psychological benefits in the long term.
Study design
- Primary purpose
- Health services research
- Allocation
- Randomised
- Intervention model
- Parallel groups
- Masking
- Double blind (participant, investigator)
- Number of arms
- 2
- Model description
- Randomyzed control
| Arm | Type | Receives |
|---|---|---|
| Positive Event Writing Intervention Group | Experimental | Behavioral: Positive Event Writing InterventionMothers in this group will be asked to write down three positive events each day for four weeks as part of a positive psychology journaling intervention. |
| Control Group | No intervention | –Mothers in the control group will not receive any intervention. |
Who may qualify
- Ages
- 18 to 75 years
- Sex
- Female only
- Healthy volunteers
- Accepted
- Age groups
- Adult, Older adult
Key inclusion criteria (4 listed)
- Age 18 years or older
- Willing to participate in the study
- Able to read and understand Turkish
- Being a mother of a child with special needs
Key exclusion criteria (4 listed)
- Younger than 18 years
- Unwilling to participate in the study
- Unable to read or understand Turkish
- Not having a child with special needs
Eligibility is decided by the study team after screening; this overview does not establish that a patient qualifies. Full inclusion and exclusion criteria.
Interventions
| Intervention | Type | Arms |
|---|---|---|
| Positive Event Writing InterventionMothers in the intervention group will be asked to write down three positive events each day for four weeks as part of a positive psychology journaling activity.. | Behavioural | Positive Event Writing Intervention Group |
Primary outcome
Change in Happiness Levels as Measured by the Oxford Happiness Questionnaire - Short Form (OHQ-SF)
Time frame: Baseline and Week 5
The Oxford Happiness Questionnaire - Short Form (OHQ-SF) is a 7-item scale used to assess individual levels of happiness. Each item is rated on a Likert scale. Total scores range from 0 to 28, with higher scores indicating greater happiness. The Turkish adaptation was validated by Doğan and Çötok (2011) with a reliability coefficient (Cronbach's alpha) of .74 and test-retest reliability of .85.
Change in Caregiver Burden as Measured by the Zarit Burden Interview (ZBI)
Time frame: Baseline and Week 5
The Zarit Burden Interview (ZBI) is a 22-item self-report instrument assessing perceived burden among caregivers. Each item is scored from 0 ("Never") to 4 ("Nearly Always") using a 5-point Likert scale. The total score ranges from 0 to 88, with higher scores indicating greater caregiver burden. The Turkish version was validated by İnci and Erdem (2007), with a Cronbach's alpha of .90.
Change in Family Functioning as Measured by the Family APGAR Scale
Time frame: Baseline and Week 5
The Family APGAR Scale is a 5-item measure of satisfaction with family functioning across five dimensions: adaptability, partnership, growth, affection, and resolve. Each item is rated on a 3-point scale from 0 ("Rarely") to 2 ("Almost always"). Total scores range from 0 to 10, with higher scores indicating greater satisfaction with family functioning. Scores between 0-3 suggest low satisfaction, 4-6 moderate satisfaction, and 7-10 high satisfaction. The Turkish version was validated by Özcan et al. (2011), with a Cronbach's alpha of .793.
Results and safety
The study is completed, but results are not available in the source record. That does not mean the treatment did or did not work.
Research links
- Official record on ClinicalTrials.govLast updated by the sponsor 20 Oct 2026.
- Derived from this study: PubMed 41759231Kerkez M, Sanli ME. The effect of the micro-appreciation training-based 'three things diary' intervention for mothers of children with autism spectrum disorder on care burden, family functioning, and happiness levels: An experimental study. J Pediatr Nurs. 2026 May-Jun;88:148-161. doi: 10.1016/j.pedn.2026.02.024. Epub 2026 Feb 26.
- Individual participant dataSharing planned: No. In this study, the names of the studies will be shared in accordance with the rules of the Declaration of Helsinki and the study results will be presented with analyses.
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Referral and contact
AzTrials does not enrol participants or take referrals. Contact the study team or a site listed below; they decide who can take part. This study is not recruiting at the moment.
The record lists no contact. Use the official record to reach the sponsor.
1 site in 1 country: see every site and its status.
Questions about this trial
What is this clinical trial studying?
A study testing Positive Event Writing Intervention in people with Autism Spectrum Disorder and Parental Stress, run by Cukurova University at 1 site in Turkey (Türkiye).
The full registered description is in the About this study section and the official record.
Who may be eligible to take part?
The sponsor lists 4 inclusion and 4 exclusion criteria. Eligibility is decided by the study team after screening, so read the full criteria and contact a listed site.
Is this clinical trial currently recruiting?
The record says: finished, as of the sponsor's last update on 20 Oct 2026. Status can change between updates, so confirm with the study contact before making plans.
Where is the study taking place?
The record lists 1 site in Turkey (Türkiye). Whether a site is taking part right now should be confirmed with that site. See every site.
What are the possible benefits and risks?
They depend on the study and the treatment, and no study can promise a benefit. The study team explains the known risks during informed consent, before anyone joins; the record itself does not list them.
Are results available for this study?
The study is completed, but results are not available in the source record. That does not mean the treatment did or did not work.
How can a doctor refer a patient or contact the research team?
The record lists no contact. The official record names the sponsor, who can be asked directly. AzTrials does not enrol participants or take referrals.
What does the primary outcome measure?
Change in Happiness Levels as Measured by the Oxford Happiness Questionnaire - Short Form (OHQ-SF) (time frame: Baseline and Week 5). The study lists 3 primary outcomes in all. It is what the study was designed to measure, not a finding.
Where can I read the original study information?
On the ClinicalTrials.gov record for NCT07124091, which also lists 1 linked publication.
Does a listing mean the treatment is approved or proven to work?
No. A listing means the study is registered. It does not show that the treatment is safe, works, or is approved by a regulator.
How often is this information updated?
AzTrials copies changed records from ClinicalTrials.gov every night and reloads the whole registry every week. The sponsor last updated this record on 20 Oct 2026; AzTrials last refreshed its copy on 31 Oct 2026.