Funding outcome

Mindset theory suggests that people either have a fixed mindset or a growth mindset. Those with a fixed mindset tend to believe that their abilities are unchangable, whereas those with a growth mindset believe that their abilities are malleable. Individuals with a growth mindset are more motivated to work to increase their abilities, try new things, and challenge themselves because they believe that with practice and effort, they can improve their abilities. One population that may have difficulty having a growth mindset is indiviudals with FASO. FASO is a complex disorder that presents as a wide range of physical, emotional, and cognitive disabilities that occur as a result of prenatal alcohol exposure. Early research in FASO largely focused on the deficits and negative trajectories of individuals with FASO and thus early messaging about this population was largely problems-focused with little consideration for the potential of the individual. However, with new research in FASO, brain plasticity, interventions, and supports, it is now known that individuals with FASO have the potential to improve their abilities. One abilitity that individuals with FASO are known to struggle with is self-regulation, or the ability to manage thoughts, impulses and emotions. A self-regulation intervention for adolescents with FASO will be conducted. Does having a growth mindset improve outcomes for adolescents after an intervention? It is expected that adolescents who believe their self-regulation abilities can change, and who have caregivers who believe their child's abilities can change, will be more likely to experience improvements in self-regulation. Consequently, improved self-regulation will enable these adolescents to regulate their emotions, control impulses, and stay focused, reducing the risk of a negative life trajectory. In part one of this study I seek to learn whether, overall, caregivers and individuals with FASO have a more growth or fixed mindset regarding the participant's self-regulation abilities. Next, I will investigate whether or not having a growth mindset leads to improved intervention outcomes. Pre- and post analysis and a three month follow up of the adolescent's perceived self-regulation and inhibitory control will be conducted. In part two of this study, semi-structured interviews will be conducted to gain an understanding of how mindsets have developed. Purposeful sampling of four adolescents and four caregivers, half of whom showed a more growth mindset and half of whom showed a more fixed mindset, will be asked to discuss why they believe the participant's abilities are fixed or changeable. They will be asked to identify where they have heard this messaging, and who provided the messaging. Interpretative phenomenological analysis will be conducted to examine these interviews. Exploring the people and places that caregivers and adolescents identify as contributing to their mindsets will bring to light the key areas to be targeted in order to help individuals with FASO and their families develop a growth mindset. This research will inform how to best provide intervention support for individuals with FASO. Looking beyond the skills component of an intervention to the psycho-social variables that accompany each participant will help create more effective treatments to address the unique needs of children and adolescents with FASO. This study will also help identify what factors influence the development of a growth mindset for adolescents and caregivers of FASO. With this information, researchers can target those noted areas, and help more families develop an optimal mindset to support positive intervention outcomes. In order for adolescents with FASO to be successful in adulthood, they must first believe that they have the ability to succeed.