effect of life skills training on family functioning in familieswith mentally disabled children

The purpose of this study was to determine the effect of life skills training on family functioning in families with educable mentally disabled children in Arak city.

Statistical population of this research consisted of mothers with educable mentally disabled children (174 boys). The sample was 30 mothers that were selected randomly out of 174 people. These mothers were randomly assigned into experimental and control groups. Participants were asked to complete the Demographic Questionnaire (DQ) and the Bloom’s Family Functioning Scale (FFS).  Experimental group participated in 7 sessions (2 sessions a week). Each session lasted for two hours. Unisef Life Skills Training was employed on experimental group as independent variable.

Covariance analysis showed that there is a significant difference between mean scores of experimental and control groups (p < 0/001).

The results showed that family functioning of mothers with educable mentally disabled children could be influenced by life skills training.