Applied Psychology

Applied Psychology

The Effectiveness of a Cognitive Parenting Educational Package on Behavioural Management of Children with Attention-Deficit/Hyperactivity Disorder

Document Type : Original Article

Authors
Mehdi Ghezelsefloo 1
Ali Aghaziarati 2
Sepideh Mahmoodzadeh 3
1 Assistant Professor, Department of Psychology, Faculty of Humanities & Physical Education, Gonbad Kavous University, Gonbad Kavous, Iran.
2 Assistant Professor, Department of Psychology and Counseling, Farhangian University, Tehran, Iran
3 Ph.D. Candidate in Psychology, Persian Gulf University, Bushehr, Iran.
10.48308/apsy.2026.242571.1940
Abstract
Aim: This study investigated the effectiveness of a cognitive parenting educational package on improving behavioral management among parents of children with Attention-Deficit/Hyperactivity Disorder (ADHD).
 
Method: A quasi-experimental pretest–posttest–follow-up design with a control group was used. The statistical population consisted of parents of children diagnosed with ADHD who referred to educational counseling centers in Tehran. Thirty parents were selected purposively and randomly assigned to experimental and control groups (15 each). The experimental group received twelve 45–60-minute sessions of the cognitive parenting program, while the control group received no intervention. Data were collected at pretest, posttest, and five-month follow-up and analyzed using repeated-measures ANOVA in SPSS-27.
 
Results: Behavioral management scores significantly improved in the experimental group from pretest to posttest (F(2,54) = 58.93, p < .001, η² = 0.81), and these improvements remained stable at follow-up. The interaction effect between time and group was significant (F(2,54) = 42.65, p < .001), confirming that observed changes resulted from the intervention. Bonferroni post hoc comparisons showed significant differences between pretest and posttest and between pretest and follow-up (p < .001).
 
Conclusion: The cognitive parenting educational package effectively enhanced parents’ emotional and cognitive regulation skills and improved behavioral management of children with ADHD. This culturally adaptable intervention may strengthen family functioning and parental competence.
Keywords
Parent Education
Attention-Deficit/Hyperactivity Disorder
Cognitive Parenting
Behavioural Management
Subjects
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