Effectiveness of Family-Based Cognitive-Behavioral Therapy on Marital Satisfaction and Parent-Child Interaction Among Mothers of Children with Clinical Symptoms of Obsessive-Compulsive Disorder

This study aimed to improve the symptoms of children with obsessive-compulsive disorder (OCD), relationships between parents and children, and marital satisfaction using the family-based cognitive-behavioral therapy (CBT).

This was a quasi-experimental pretest-posttest research. The statistical population was all of the 9- to 12-year-old school students suffering from OCD who had consulted the Psychological and Consultation Services Center during academic year 2015-2016 in the city of Tehran. A sample of 28 students selected randomly were assigned to an experimental and a control group. The following questionnaires were completed initially (pre-test) and finally (post-test): 1. Questionnaires completed by the mothers of the children: the Spence Anxiety Scale-Parent Form, the Parent-Child Relationship Questionnaire and the Afrooz Marital Satisfaction Questionnaire (short form); 2. The questionnaires completed by the children: the Spence Childrenchr('39')s Anxiety Scale. The intervention program was designed based on CBT and included 22 sessions, eight group sessions for mothers, eight individual play therapy sessions for children, and two specific sessions for each family.

Data analysis using multivariate analysis of covariance showed that family-based cognitive-behavioral therapy was effective in improving marital satisfaction and parent-child interaction as well as reducing child anxiety (p <0.01).

Based on the findings, it can be concluded that family-based cognitive-behavioral therapy intervention may lead to improved relationship between parents and children with obsessive-compulsive disorder and marital satisfaction, as well as reduced anxiety of these children and their parents.