Effect of Cognitive Behavior Group Therapy on Parenting Stress in Mothers of Children With Autism

BACKGROUND: Due to the various problems of children with autism, their families and especially their mothers become exposed to stress. OBJECTIVES: This study aimed to evaluate the effect of cognitive behavior group therapy on parenting stress of mothers of children with autism. MATERIALS AND METHODS: The sample of this research consisted of sixteen mothers of children with autism. The measurement tools were the Abidin Parenting Stress questionnaire and a demographic questionnaire. The samples participated in seven sessions of cognitive behavior group therapy. The data were analyzed using the repeated measures test. RESULTS: The findings indicated significant differences between scores of pretest and posttest considering parenting stress (P = 0.03) and subscales of parenting distress (P = 0.01), yet there weren’t significant differences in the other subscales (P > 0.05). CONCLUSIONS: Cognitive behavior group therapy could be an important part of interventions used to decrease parenting stress of mothers of children with autism.