International Journal of Behavioral Sciences

International Journal of Behavioral Sciences

The Effect of Acceptance and Commitment Therapy on Sense of Guilt, Self-blame, and Depression in Mothers of Individuals with Autism Spectrum Disorders

Document Type : Original Article

Authors
Hadi Rashidi-Fard 1
Sona Foulad-Vanda 2
Negar Bahremand-Nia 3
Shokooh Sadat-Vajedi 4
Hamid Jalili-Moghadam 5
1 Department of Psychology, Islamic Azad University, Kermanshah Branch, Kermanshah, Iran
2 Department of Psychology, Islamic Azad University, Yasouj Branch, Yasouj, Iran
3 Department of Psychology, Islamic Azad University, Zarand Branch, Zarand, Iran
4 Department of Educational Sciences and Islamic Psychology, Quran and Atrat University of Isfahan, Iran
5 Department of Psychology, Islamic Azad University, Zanjan Branch, Zanjan, Iran
10.30491/ijbs.2024.440698.2076
Abstract
Introduction: Autism Disorder (ASD) can greatly burden parents of children with autism. The aim of this study was to investigate the efficacy of Acceptance and Commitment Therapy (ACT) training in alleviating the feelings of guilt, self-blame, and depression experienced by mothers who have children with autism.
Method: This study had a semi-experimental design with pre-test-post-test and follow-up phases (lasting three months). The target population included all mothers of children with autism spectrum disorders who 27 of them were selected by purposive sampling method among members of the Iranian Autism Association during July to November 2023 in Tehran. Educational interventions based on the ACT approach were provided for eight sessions, each lasting for 90 minutes, with one session per week. The research utilized the Guilt Inventory Questionnaire (GIQ), the Cognitive Emotion Regulation Questionnaire (CERQ), and The Beck Depression Inventory-Second Edition (BDI‐ii) as measurement tools. The collected data were analyzed using SPSS version 27 software and multivariate covariance analysis.
Results: According to findings, significant variations were observed in the variables of feeling guilty, depression, and self-blame during the pre-test, post-test, and follow-up stages (P<0.001).
Conclusion: It appears that using the ACT approach can be beneficial in reducing symptoms and could potentially alleviate feelings of guilt and depression in mothers of children with autism.
Keywords
Acceptance and Commitment Therapy
Guilt
Self-blame
Depression
Mothers
Autistic Children
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International Journal of Behavioral Sciences
Volume 18, Issue 2
Summer 2024
Pages 76-82