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Comparing the effectiveness of acceptance and commitment therapy and good enough parenting training based on schema therapy approach on parenting stress of mothers of children with attention deficit hyperactivity disorder
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Ali Ershadi Nezhad1    , Zahra Bagherzadeh Golmakani *1 , Mohammadreza Khodabakhsh1 |
| 1- Department of Psychology, Ne. C., Islamic Azad University, Neyshabur, Iran |
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Abstract: (9 Views) |
Background and Purpose: Attention-Deficit/Hyperactivity Disorder (ADHD) is one of the most prevalent neurodevelopmental disorders, which is associated with increased parenting stress in mothers. Given the differences in the mechanisms of Acceptance and Commitment Therapy (ACT) and Good Enough Parenting (GEP) training based on schema therapy approach, the present study was conducted to compare the effectiveness of ACT and GEP based on schema therapy approach on parenting stress among mothers of children with ADHD.
Method: The present study employed a quasi-experimental design with a pretest-posttest and a three-month follow-up, using two experimental groups and one control group. The statistical population consisted of all mothers of primary school students diagnosed with ADHD in the Tabadkan district of Mashhad in the academic year 2025-2026. The sample research included 45 mothers referring to psychological and counseling service centers within the population. Participants were selected based on convenience sampling and according to inclusion and exclusion criteria and were randomly assigned into two experimental groups and one control group (15 people in each group). The first experimental group received 14 ninety-minute sessions of ACT interventions. The second experimental group received 12 ninety-minute sessions of GEP training based on schema therapy approach, while the control group received the usual training provided by the psychological service center. The data collection tool included the validated short form of the Parenting Stress Questionnaire (PSI-SF; Abidin, 1995) in Iran. To analyze the data, repeated measures analysis of variance method (ANOVA) and SPSS-27 software were used.
Results: The results showed that there was a significant difference between the two interventions, ACT and GEP training based on schema therapy approach, and the control group (F=212/898, P=0/001). Also, ACT was more effective compared to GEP training based on schema therapy approach, and these changes were supported in the follow-up phase.
Conclusion: Based on the findings, ACT plays a significant role in mitigating parenting stress by enhancing psychological flexibility and reducing experiential avoidance through the adoption of value-based parenting actions. Therefore, it is suggested that with the aim of improving the mental health of mothers, the use of this treatment as an approach with more stable effectiveness should be prioritized in intervention programs. |
Article number: 1 |
| Keywords: Acceptance and commitment therapy, attention deficit/hyperactivity disorder, parenting training, parenting stress, schema therapy |
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Type of Study: Research |
Subject:
Special
Received: 2026/04/18 | Accepted: 2026/06/27 | Published: 2026/07/6
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