Effectiveness of Parent-centered Intervention Based on Gottman’s Meta- Emotional Philosophy on Cognitive Emotion Regulation in Children with Externalizing Behavioral Problems

The present study aimed to investigate the effectiveness of parent_ centered intervention based on Gottman’s meta- emotional philosophy on cognitive emotion regulation in children with externalizing behavioral problems.

This research is applicable in terms of purpose and its method was quasi-experimental with pretest and posttest design with control group. The study population included all 7-10 years old children with externalizing behavioral problems in Isfahan. The sample included 30 students with externalizing behavioral problems who were selected through multiple random cluster sampling and divided into experimental and control groups. The experimental group participated in a 6- session intervention. Achenbach Child Behavior Check List and Cognitive Emotion Regulation Scale were used for data collection.

The mean of posttest showed a significant difference between the experimental and control groups (P<0/05), indicating the positive effect of parent-centered intervention. The rate of this effect on the variables of re-focusing on planning was 56%, positive reassessment 69%, acceptability 69%, self-blame 18%, acceptance 54%, ruminant 54%, positive re-focus 56%, catastrophe 31%, and blame of others 25%.

This study clarified the role and importance of parental meta-emotional viewpoint. It was also revealed that parent_centered intervention based on meta-emotional philosophy improves the cognitive emotion regulation of children with externalizing behavioral problems. The use of this educational package as part of the parent skills training program is one of the practical suggestions the present of research.