Contribution of Psychological Flexibility and Parental Reflective Functioning to Parental Self-Efficacy of Parents of Children With ASD in Routine and War Times

This study examined differences in parental self-efficacy (PSE), psychological flexibility, and parental reflective functioning (PRF) in two independent samples of parents of children with autism spectrum disorder (ASD) assessed during routine conditions and wartime and explored whether time moderated associations among these variables. Parents of children with ASD face increased challenges during disruptions, and PSE, psychological flexibility, and PRF are resources that may support coping and parenting. A total of 140 parents participated (86 routine and 54 wartime), completing validated measures of the three constructs. Compared with the routine sample, the wartime sample reported higher PRF and PSE, with no significant difference in psychological flexibility. PRF was positively associated with PSE in both samples, whereas psychological flexibility correlated with PSE only in the routine sample. Time significantly moderated the association between psychological flexibility and PSE, present in the routine sample but absent in the wartime sample, and moderated the link between PRF certainty and PSE, which was stronger during wartime. Given the cross-sectional, independent-samples design, these findings should be interpreted cautiously; differences may reflect contextual and unmeasured sample characteristics. Nonetheless, the results highlight PRF as a potential target for interventions aimed at supporting parents of children with ASD during emergencies.