International Journal of Behavioral Sciences

International Journal of Behavioral Sciences

Comparison of Group Attachment-Based Intervention (GABI) and Parenting Skills Sessions on Adjustment and Resilience of Parents with Disabled Children

Document Type : Original Article

Authors
Sajad Jokar 1
Hanie Almasian 2
Kobra-Sadat Banihashem 3
Mahin Khodadadpour 4
Fatemeh Sedighi 5
1 Department of Psychology, Khomein Branch, Islamic Azad University, Khomein, Iran.
2 Department of the Psychology and Education of Exceptional Children, Islamic Azad University, Central Tehran Branch Faculty of Psychology and Educational Sciences, Islamic Azad University, Tehran, Iran.
3 Department of Psychology, Bojnourd Branch, Islamic Azad University, Bojnourd, Iran
4 Department of Humanities Sciences and Psychology, Science and Research Branch, Islamic Azad University, Tehran, Iran.
5 Department of Psychology, Faculty of Nursing / Midwifery, Islamic Azad University of Zanjan, Iran.
10.30491/ijbs.2025.485792.2168
Abstract
Background: Taking care of a disabled child could have an impact on the mental well-being of a parent. This study aims to evaluate the Group Attachment-Based Intervention (GABI) and parenting skills sessions on the adjustment and resilience of parents with a disabled child.
Method: This study was a semi-experimental design utilizing a pre-test-post-test and follow-up plan (two months later) with both control and experimental groups. The statistical population consisted of all parents (both fathers and mothers) with a disabled child in Tehran in 2023 who had a record in the welfare rehabilitation unit of Tehran. "Out of the group, 45 individuals were chosen as a representative sample through purposeful sampling techniques." The participants were then randomly divided into three groups, with 15 individuals in each group. Data was collected using the Social Adjustment Questionnaire (SAQ) and the Connor-Davidson Resilience scale (CD-RISC).   The data collected were analyzed using Kruskal-Wallis H tests, repeated measures ANCOVA, and Bonferroni's post hoc test in SPSS software version 27 and JASP software version 18.1.0, with a p-value set at 0.05.
Results: According to the research findings, the home adjustment variable in the GABI showed a significant difference from the control group at all stages (p<0.001), indicating the impact of the GABI approach on increasing home adjustment. Similarly, the variable of home adjustment in the group that received Parenting skills sessions showed a significant difference compared to the control group in all stages (p<0.001). The GABI component also displayed a significant difference in job adjustment compared to the control group during the follow-up phase (p<0.001), and the group that received parenting skills sessions also exhibited a significant difference in job adjustment from the control group during the follow-up phase (p<0.001). A considerable discrepancy in resilience levels was noted between the groups that participated in the GABI and parenting skills sessions and the control group, with the former showing improvement (P<0.001). However, there was no significant difference between the experimental groups themselves.
Conclusion: The current study revealed that while there are challenges in raising disabled children, parents can enhance their resilience and adjustment through GABI and improving parenting skills. The results of the study suggest the need to enhance counseling and support services for families with disabled children based on these findings.
Keywords
Group Attachment-Based Intervention
Parent-Child
Parenting Skills
Adjustment
Resilience
Disabled Child
Parents
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International Journal of Behavioral Sciences
Volume 18, Issue 4
Winter 2025
Pages 214-225