ABSTRACT

Objective: This study aimed to systematically review the effectiveness of parent-mediated intervention (PMI) programs for children with autism spectrum disorder (ASD) and analyze their effect sizes on key developmental domains, including autism symptoms, social interaction skills, adaptive behavior, language abilities, and parental stress, through a meta-analysis. Methods: Literature published from January 2015 to December 2024 was searched in PubMed, MEDLINE, PsycINFO, Web of Science, ProQuest, and Google Scholar databases. Twelve eligible studies were selected, and the quality of each study was assessed using the Cochrane Risk of Bias 2 tool. The meta-analysis was conducted using R software, examining effect sizes, heterogeneity, and publication bias. Results: The meta-analysis revealed a moderate effect size for social interaction skills and small effect sizes for autism symptoms, adaptive behavior, and parental stress. No significant effects on language ability were observed. Low heterogeneity was observed across studies, and no evidence of publication bias was detected. Conclusion: Parent-mediated interventions were found to reduce autism symptoms, improve social interaction skills and adaptive behavior, and alleviate parental stress in children with ASD. This study provides empirical evidence supporting the application of PMI in early intervention and family-centered models in Korea and can serve as a foundational reference for developing clinical programs aimed at enhancing parental competence in future practice and policy.