The Effectiveness of Emotion Regulation Training on Family Quality of Life in Mothers of Children with Autism and Attention-Deficit/Hyperactivity Disorder

Abstract

Among the factors influencing the enhancement of quality of life and general health in mothers of children with autism and attention-deficit/hyperactivity disorder (ADHD) are emotion regulation strategies. The present study aimed to determine the effectiveness of emotion regulation training on family quality of life in mothers of children with autism and ADHD. The research employed a quasi-experimental design with a pretest-posttest and a control group. The statistical population included all mothers of children diagnosed with autism spectrum disorder and ADHD who visited private psychiatric clinics in Borujerd in 2020. From this population, 60 individuals were selected through convenience sampling and were assigned to two experimental groups and one control group through matching. Participants completed the Beach Center Family Quality of Life Scale as a pretest and posttest. After 14 sessions of emotion regulation training for mothers in the experimental groups, data were analyzed using analysis of covariance. The findings indicated that the mean family quality of life score in the posttest stage was significantly higher in the group of mothers of children with autism and the group of mothers of children with ADHD compared to the control group (P = 0.001, F = 36.699). Furthermore, Bonferroni test results revealed that the mean family quality of life score was higher in the group of mothers of children with autism than in the group of mothers of children with ADHD. Emotion regulation training is recommended for mothers of children with neurodevelopmental disorders.