Author ORCID Identifier:
Date of Graduation
7-2026
Document Type
Dissertation
Degree Name
Doctor of Philosophy in Psychology (PhD)
Degree Level
Graduate
Department
Psychological Science
Advisor/Mentor
Quetsch, Lauren
Committee Member
Behrend, Doug
Second Committee Member
Fugitt, Jessica
Keywords
accessibility; autism; disruptive behaviors; group-based intervention; parent-child interaction therapy
Abstract
Caregivers of autistic children experience a myriad of barriers when seeking psychotherapy for their children including a lack of family-based treatment options, lengthy waitlists, and limited access to specialized therapists. As the demand for both accessible and affordable mental healthcare for autistic youth increases, group-based interventions may be a useful alternative to more time intensive individual treatment options – allowing for multiple clients to be seen at once. The present study examined the efficacy of an adapted evidence-based intervention, Parent-Child Interaction Therapy, to be delivered in a brief, group-based format with families of autistic youth. Driven by input from a community advisory board, this pilot trial was designed to address the needs of the autism community and provide neurodiverse-affirming care. Participants (N = 20) in the present proposal were randomized to either an immediate intervention group (n = 10) or a waitlist (delayed intervention) control (n = 10). Groups were compared on both child factors (i.e., compliance, internalizing and externalizing behaviors, caregiver-child relationship quality, adaptive behaviors) and caregiver factors (i.e., stress levels, positive and negative caregiving practices) at pre-treatment, post-treatment, and a 1-month follow-up timepoints. Outcomes indicated statistically significant differences in children’s disruptive behaviors and caregivers positive and negative caregiving skills (p’s < .05). Additionally, caregiver satisfaction with the treatment was high. Results determined that even a small dose of PCIT per week was enough to significantly impact the lives of children and their caregivers with important implications for future implementation.
Citation
Kiefer, J. L. (2026). A Pilot Randomized Clinical Trial Examining the Efficacy of Group-Based Parent-Child Interaction Therapy (PCIT) for Autistic Youth: A Mixed-Method Design. Graduate Theses and Dissertations Retrieved from https://scholarworks.uark.edu/etd/6332
