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The effectiveness of acceptance and commitment therapy on cognitive flexibility, marital satisfaction, and parent-child interaction in mothers of children with cancer
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Maryam Zolfagharnia1    , Saba Azizrousta2 , Marziyeh Mahmoudi3 , Faranak Saeedi Moghadam4 , Vahid Savabi Niri *2 |
1- Ardabil Branch, Payame Noor University, Ardabil, Iran
2- Ardabil Branch, Islamic Azad University, Ardabil, Iran
3- Faculty of Educational Sciences and Psychology, Zahedan University, Zahedan, Iran
4- Zarrinshahr Branch, Payame Noor University, Zarrinshahr, Iran |
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Abstract: (303 Views) |
Background and Purpose: Childhood cancer significantly affects the mental health and family relationships of mothers, affecting marital satisfaction and parent-child interactions. This study aimed to evaluate the effectiveness of Acceptance and Commitment Therapy (ACT) on cognitive flexibility, marital satisfaction, and parent-child interaction among mothers of children with cancer.
Method: The present study employed a quasi-experimental method with a pretest–posttest design, including one experimental group and one control group. The statistical population included all mothers of children with cancer in Ardabil City in 2024. A sample of 36 mothers was selected from this population through convenience sampling and randomly assigned to the experimental and control groups. Data were collected using the most recently validated Iranian versions of the Cognitive Flexibility Inventory (CFI; Dennis & Vander Wal, 2010), the Enrich Marital Satisfaction Scale (EMSS; Enrich, 1989), and the Child–Parent Relationship Scale (CPRS; Pianta, 1992). The experimental group received eight 90-minute sessions of Acceptance and Commitment Therapy (ACT; Hayes et al., 2011). The data obtained were analyzed using multivariate analysis of covariance (MANCOVA) in SPSS -27.
Results: Findings indicated that ACT significantly increased perceived behavioral control (F=33.84), perceived alternative options (F=38.72), behavior justification perception (F=31.07), marital satisfaction (F=54.14), positive relationships (F=39.32), and decreased conflict (F=60.42) and dependency (F=44.57) among mothers of children with cancer (p < 0.01).
Conclusion: Based on the results, ACT increases the ability to manage psychological stress and promotes emotional resilience by strengthening mindfulness and commitment to values. Therefore, this intervention is suggested as an effective strategy for improving mental health and the quality of family relationships of parents with a child with cancer. |
Article number: 3 |
| Keywords: Acceptance and commitment therapy, cancer, cognitive flexibility, marital satisfaction, parent-child interaction |
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Full-Text [PDF 1380 kb]
(119 Downloads)
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Type of Study: Research |
Subject:
General
Received: 2024/11/24 | Accepted: 2025/12/5 | Published: 2025/12/7
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