Acceptability of a Brief Acceptance and Commitment Therapy Intervention for Caregivers of Children with Pediatric Feeding Disorder

Authors

Emma Murray, Children's Mercy Kansas CityFollow
Taylor P. Harris, Children's Mercy Kansas CityFollow
Annie L. Ryder, Children's Mercy Kansas CityFollow
Alexandra Zax, Children's Mercy Kansas City
Taylor M. Datillo
Corey Schurman, Children's Mercy HospitalFollow
Laura Slosky, Children's Mercy HospitalFollow
Sarah T. Edwards, Children's Mercy HospitalFollow
Delwyn Catley
Ann M. Davis, Children's Mercy HospitalFollow
Dana Bakula, Children's Mercy HospitalFollow

Publication Date

4-2025

Files

Abstract

Introduction: Pediatric feeding disorder (PFD) affects 1 in 37 young children and is associated with heightened stress and anxiety among caregivers. Currently, there are no established interventions that target PFD caregiver stress, and traditional models of adult mental healthcare face feasibility issues in pediatric care settings. To address this gap, we developed a brief acceptance and commitment therapy (ACT) intervention (Clinical Trials #NCT06001398). We assessed caregiver-perceived acceptability to inform future efficacy testing. Method: Twenty caregivers participated in a NIMH-funded pilot study of a 2-session ACT intervention for parents of children with PFD. Caregivers with children aged 2 to 6 years with PFD were recruited and randomized to either the active (n = 14) or control intervention (n = 6). Intervention content included psychoeducation, ACT skills training, and application of ACT skills to mealtimes. Caregivers’ rated intervention acceptability at 3-month follow-up. Results: Eight caregivers who received the ACT intervention completed acceptability measures. Most (75%) found it “somewhat” or “very” helpful. 62% reported using the ACT strategies 3 months following intervention completion and 88% said they would recommend this program to other parents. Most (88%) reported the same level of confidence in managing their own stress as prior to the intervention. Descriptively, caregivers enjoyed the sessions (“I enjoyed the sessions and just being more mindful of how my own stress was impact[ing] our mealtimes”). Conclusions: Caregivers found this brief ACT intervention to be highly acceptable. Caregivers reported regular use of the strategies, positive perceptions of the program, and that they would recommend it to others. Interestingly, they did not report feeling that their confidence in managing their stress improved. It is possible that retrospective comparisons about stress management may be difficult to assess, making it critical that we complete rigorous efficacy testing with pre-post measures of stress. Further efficacy testing is needed.

Disciplines

Pediatrics

Notes

Presented at the Society of Pediatric Psychology Annual Conference (SPPAC); Phoenix, AZ; April 3-5, 2025.

Recommended Citation

Murray, Emma; Harris, Taylor P.; Ryder, Annie L.; Zax, Alexandra; Datillo, Taylor M.; Schurman, Corey; Slosky, Laura; Edwards, Sarah T.; Catley, Delwyn; Davis, Ann M.; and Bakula, Dana, "Acceptability of a Brief Acceptance and Commitment Therapy Intervention for Caregivers of Children with Pediatric Feeding Disorder" (2025). Posters. 445.
https://scholarlyexchange.childrensmercy.org/posters/445