Applied Psychology

Applied Psychology

The Effectiveness of Combined Program of Parent Management Training and Mindful Parenting on Parental Stress, Parent-Child Relationship and Child’s Externalizing Problems

Document Type : Scientific-research

Authors
Farzaneh Kosari 1
Parviz Sabahi 2
Shahrokh Makvand Hosseini 3
1 Ph.D. Student in Psychochology, Mahdishahr Faculty of Psychology and Educational Sciences, Semnan University, Semnan, Iran.
2 Assistant Professor, Department of Psychology, Mahdishahr Faculty of Psychology and Educational Sciences, Semnan University, Semnan, Iran.
3 Associate Professor, Department of Psychology, Mahdishahr Faculty of Psychology and Educational Sciences, Semnan University, Semnan, Iran.
10.48308/apsy.2023.229340.1409
Abstract
Aim: This research aimed to assess the effectiveness of a combined program involving parent management training and mindful parenting training on parental stress, parent-child relationships, and children's externalizing problems.
 
Methods: The study employed a semi-experimental design with pre-test, post-test, and three-month follow-up assessments, including a control group. The population consisted of mothers with children aged 4 to 9 years in Semnan city in 1400. A total of 24 mothers were selected using the available sampling method and randomly assigned to either experimental or control groups. The experimental group underwent a 16-hour combined program delivered over two hours per week, while the control group was placed on a waiting list. Research tools included Abidin's Parenting Stress Index (1995), Pianta's Parent-Child Relationship Scale (1992), and Eyberg's Child Behavior Inventory (1978). Data analysis utilized multivariate covariance analysis with SPSS-23 software.
 
Results: The combined program proved effective in reducing parenting stress (p<0.05) and children's externalized problems (p<0.05). Additionally, it contributed to decreasing conflicts between parents and children, fostering a closer relationship (p<0.05). However, it did not significantly alter the degree of dependence between parents and children (p = 0.213). All results remained stable during the follow-up phase, except for children's externalizing problems (p = 0.573).
 
Conclusion: The combined program demonstrates efficacy as an intervention to reduce parenting stress and enhance parent-child relationships.
Keywords
Parent Management Training
Parental Stress
Mindful Parenting
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