, Islamic Azad University
Abstract: (24 Views)
Introduction: Raising a child presents challenges for parents that can lead to stress. This is despite the fact that parents of autistic children endure more stress than parents of normal children. The combination of inappropriate behaviors with autism can increase parental stress levels.The aim of the present study was to investigate the effectiveness of self-focused compassion therapy on self-compassion in mothers of children with autism.
Methods: This study was a quasi-experimental research with a pre-test-post-test design and a control group. The statistical population of the study consisted of all mothers of children with autism spectrum disorder living in Arak city in 2024. Using a non-random, convenience-based, and purposive sampling method, 40 of these mothers were selected and then randomly assigned to two experimental and control groups (each group consisting of 20 people). The instrument used in this study was the Self-Compassion Scale developed by Neff et al. (2003). The experimental group received an educational intervention based on the Self-Compassion Training protocol according to the Nam Germer (2009) protocol. This intervention was implemented in the form of seven two-hour group sessions, weekly. In the first session, a pre-test was administered, and in the seventh session (after 57 days), a post-test was administered for both groups. Univariate analysis of covariance (ANCOVA) and multivariate analysis of covariance (MANCOVA) were used to analyze the data using SPSS-26 software. Before conducting the analyses, the necessary assumptions of these tests were reviewed and confirmed.
Results: The results showed that compassion therapy training was effective in improving compassion and self-compassion in mothers with autistic children (F1.17=56.98, V=0.77, p<0.001). Also, the eta coefficient value obtained from the multivariate analysis of covariance test showed that compassion therapy training explained 44% of the variance in the kindness subscale, 61% of the variance in the self-judgment variable, 27% of the human commonalities, 65% of the isolation variable, 39% of the variance in mindfulness, and 31% of the overidentification variable.
Conclusion: According to the findings of this study, compassion-focused therapy training led to a significant increase in the level of self-compassion in mothers of children with autism spectrum disorder. Accordingly, the use of this method as an effective psychological intervention is recommended to improve the psychological well-being of this group of mothers in counseling centers and psychotherapy services.
Methods: This study was a quasi-experimental research with a pre-test-post-test design and a control group. The statistical population of the study consisted of all mothers of children with autism spectrum disorder living in Arak city in 2024. Using a non-random, convenience-based, and purposive sampling method, 40 of these mothers were selected and then randomly assigned to two experimental and control groups (each group consisting of 20 people). The instrument used in this study was the Self-Compassion Scale developed by Neff et al. (2003). The experimental group received an educational intervention based on the Self-Compassion Training protocol according to the Nam Germer (2009) protocol. This intervention was implemented in the form of seven two-hour group sessions, weekly. In the first session, a pre-test was administered, and in the seventh session (after 57 days), a post-test was administered for both groups. Univariate analysis of covariance (ANCOVA) and multivariate analysis of covariance (MANCOVA) were used to analyze the data using SPSS-26 software. Before conducting the analyses, the necessary assumptions of these tests were reviewed and confirmed.
Results: The results showed that compassion therapy training was effective in improving compassion and self-compassion in mothers with autistic children (F1.17=56.98, V=0.77, p<0.001). Also, the eta coefficient value obtained from the multivariate analysis of covariance test showed that compassion therapy training explained 44% of the variance in the kindness subscale, 61% of the variance in the self-judgment variable, 27% of the human commonalities, 65% of the isolation variable, 39% of the variance in mindfulness, and 31% of the overidentification variable.
Conclusion: According to the findings of this study, compassion-focused therapy training led to a significant increase in the level of self-compassion in mothers of children with autism spectrum disorder. Accordingly, the use of this method as an effective psychological intervention is recommended to improve the psychological well-being of this group of mothers in counseling centers and psychotherapy services.
Type of Study: Research(Original) |
Subject:
Health Education and Promotion
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