Comparison of the Effectiveness of "Cognitive-Behavioral Group therapy" with "Existential Group Therapy" on Mother-Child Relationships of Mothers of Exceptional Children

Life is possible for human beings through interaction and communication, and the main source of communication for human beings are parents. The aim of this study was to compare the effectiveness of "Cognitive-Behavioral Group Therapy" and "Existential Group Therapy" on mother-child relationships of mothers of exceptional children.

The method of the present study was quasi-experimental and pre-test-post-test design with control and follow-up groups. The statistical population of the study included all mothers with exceptional children in Qarchak city in Tehran province who had a primary school child aged 6 to 12 years, which according to statistics was 150 people. Data collection instruments were demographic questionnaire and "Mother-Child Relationship Evaluation". Content validity was measured by qualitative method and reliability by internal consistency method by calculating Cronbachchr('39')s alpha coefficient. The pre-test was performed on 150 "mother-child relationship evaluation". Among 58 mothers who had communication problems (meaning a score less than 140 out of 240), 36 were randomly selected and in 3 groups, 12 were randomly selected. Communication problem meant a score less than 140 out of 240 of the total score of the questionnaire. The intervention groups were treated in 8 sessions of 90 minutes by ""Cognitive-Behavioral Group Therapy"" " and "Existential Group Therapy". All three groups completed the "mother-child relationship assessment" as a pretest, posttest, and one-month follow-up. Data were analyzed using SPSS. 24.

There is a difference between mother-child relationship in "Cognitive-Behavioral Group Therapy”  and "Existential Group Therapy” and control. The results of pairwise comparison showed that the difference in scores between "Cognitive-Behavioral Group Therapy” on mother-child relationship and the control group was significant. In addition, this difference in the score of "Existential Group Therapy” and the control group was also significant (P ≥ 0.01). But there was no significant difference between the scores in "Cognitive-Behavioral Group Therapy” and "Existential Group Therapy". Intra-group comparison also showed the stability of the results over time.

"Cognitive-Behavioral Group Therapy" and "Existential Group Therapy" can improve mother-child relationships in mothers of exceptional children. Therefore, counselors and therapists can use this method to improve mother-child relationships.