Transactions on Data Analysis in Social Science

Transactions on Data Analysis in Social Science

The Effectiveness of Mindfulness Training on Family Cohesion and Public Health of Parents of Children with Special Learning Disabilities

Document Type : Original Article

Authors
M. Asaseh 1
N. Karimgholipour 2
S. Vakili 1
1 Ph.D. Psychology of exceptional children, Assistant professor of Department of educating exceptional children, Islamic Azad University, Science and Research Branch, Tehran, Iran.
2 MS of exceptional children, Islamic Azad University, Science and Research Branch, Tehran, Iran.
10.47176/TDASS/2023.1
Abstract
Aim: To assess the efficacy of mindfulness-based training on parental family cohesion and public health for those with special learning disabilities. Methods: A quasi-experimental approach was employed with a pre-test-post-test design, utilizing a control group. The statistical population sampled parents of children with learning hardships in Tehran's primary schools. Twenty-eight parents of children from various government centers were selected as a statistical sample using an available sampling method and were randomly assigned to experimental and control groups. Data were collected using questionnaires. The experimental group received mindfulness training in eight 90-minute sessions twice a week, while the control group did not receive any training. The data was analyzed using SPSS software version 22 with both covariance and independent t-tests. The presented statistical data tables were descriptive and inferential. Results: The results indicated that mindfulness-based training had a significant impact on family cohesion, women's public health, and men's public health (p<0.05), with effect sizes of 0.748, 0.913, and 0.484, respectively. Conclusion: In conclusion, the findings highlight the potential benefits of mindfulness-based training in improving family cohesion and public health for both genders. The study's findings suggest that mindfulness-based training can enhance family unity and improve the health of parents in households with children with special learning needs.
Keywords
Mindfulness Training
Family Cohesion
Public Health
Parents of Children with Learning Disabilities
  • Bonuomo, M., Marini, M., Vegni, N., Melogno, S., Torregiani, G., Livi, S., & Di Filippo, G. (2023). Analysis of psychological and social functioning in undergraduate students with a specific learning disorder (SLD). Brain Sciences, 13. https://doi.org/10.3390/brainsci13071020
  • Moon, J., & Han, J. Y. (2021). Effectiveness of chloral hydrate on brain MRI in children with developmental delay/intellectual disability comparing with normal intelligence: Single tertiary center experience. Children, 8. https://doi.org/10.3390/children8121097
  • Feng, L., Dou, C., Xia, Y., Li, B., Zhao, M., Yu, P., ... & Zhang, F. (2021). Neutrophil-like cell-membrane-coated nanozyme therapy for ischemic brain damage and long-term neurological functional recovery. ACS Nano. https://doi.org/10.1021/acsnano.0c07973
  • Grossi, G., Perski, A., Osika, W., & Savic, I. (2015). Stress-related exhaustion disorder—Clinical manifestation of burnout? A review of assessment methods, sleep impairments, cognitive disturbances, and neuro-biological and physiological changes in clinical burnout. Scandinavian Journal of Psychology, 56(6), 626–636. https://doi.org/10.1111/sjop.12251
  • Ganji, M., & Ganji, H. (2013). Psychology of exceptional children based on DSM-5. Tehran: Savalan.
  • Karimi, Y. (2019). Learning disorders: Theoretical and practical issues. Tehran: Savalan.
  • Beyersmann, E., Grainger, J., Casalis, S., & Ziegler, J. C. (2021). Effects of reading proficiency on embedded stem priming in primary school children.
  • Giusto, V. D., Purpura, G., Zorzi, C. F., Blonda, R., Brazzoli, E., Meriggi, P., ... & Olivieri, I. (2023). Virtual reality rehabilitation program on executive functions of children with specific learning disorders: A pilot study. Frontiers in Psychology, 14. https://doi.org/10.3389/fpsyg.2023.1241860
  • Beyersmann, E., Grainger, J., Casalis, S., & Ziegler, J. C. (2015). Effects of reading proficiency on embedded stem priming in primary school children. Journal of Experimental Child Psychology, 139, 115-126.
  • Riahi, F., Khajalddin, N., & Yazidi Mazidi, S. (2012). Investigating the effect of negative mood management training on the mental health and depression of mothers with children with autism disorder. Jentashapir Scientific Research Bimonthly, 2(4), 91–100.
  • Dyson, L. (2010). Unanticipated effects of children with learning disabilities on their families. Learning Disability Quarterly, 33(1), 43–55. https://doi.org/10.1177/073194871003300104
  • DaPaz, N. S., & Wallander, J. L. (2017). Interventions that target improvements in mental health for parents of children with autism spectrum disorders: A narrative review. Clinical Psychology Review, 51, 1–14. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.cpr.2016.10.006
  • Halahan, D. P., & Lloyd, J. (2020). Learning disorders (basics, characteristics and effective teaching) (M. Alizadeh, Trans.). Tehran: Arasbaran.
  • Hohlfeld, S. J., Harty, M., & Engel, E. (2018). Parents of children with disabilities: A systematic review of parenting interventions and self-efficacy. African Journal of Disability, 7(1), 437–443. https://doi.org/10.4102/ajod.v7i0.437
  • Ghasemi, M. B., & Musavi, F. N. (2017). Effectiveness of child-centered mindfulness on social skills and self-efficacy of children with learning disabilities. Social Behavioral Research & Health, 1(2), 91–99.
  • Mahjoub, M. S., Khanzadeh, A. H., Stovi, A., & Manzomeh, Sh. (2016). Comparison of family cohesion, perceived stress, and self-concept in mothers of children with attention deficit/hyperactivity disorder and mothers of normal children. Journal of Disability Studies, 6, 325–330.
  • Lardieri, L. A., Blacher, J., & Swanson, H. L. (2000). Sibling relationships and parent stress in families of children with and without learning disabilities. Learning Disability Quarterly, 23, 105–116. https://doi.org/10.2307/1511140
  • Taderera, C., & Hall, J. (2017). Mental health outcomes and quality of life of Ukrainian refugees in Germany. Health and Quality of Life Outcomes, 21.
  • Liang, H.-L. (2021). Does workplace bullying produce employee voice and physical health issues? Testing the mediating role of emotional exhaustion. Frontiers in Psychology, 12. https://doi.org/10.3389/fpsyg.2021.610944
  • Azizi, L. S., Sepahmansour, M., & Kochak Entezar, R. (2017). Modeling the adaptability and family cohesion of children with autism based on family resources and stress coping styles with the mediation of parents' perceived stress. Bi-quarterly Journal of Contemporary Psychology, 12(2), 187–197.
  • Rostami, C., Jahangirlou, A., Sohrabi, A., & Ahmadian, H. (2016). The role of cognitive flexibility and mindfulness in predicting student procrastination. Zanko Journal of Medical Sciences, 17(53), 50–61.
  • Hayes, S., Luoma, B., & Bond, F. (2006). Acceptance and commitment therapy: Model, process, and outcomes. Behavior Research and Therapy, 44, 1–25. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.brat.2005.06.006
  • Tang, Y.-Y., Hölzel, B. K., & Posner, M. (2015). The neuroscience of mindfulness meditation. Nature Reviews Neuroscience, 16, 213–225. https://doi.org/10.1038/nrn3916
  • Kosmyna, N., Morris, C., Sarawgi, U., Nguyen, T., & Maes, P. (2019). AttentivU: A wearable pair of EEG and EOG glasses for real-time physiological processing. In 2019 IEEE 16th International Conference on Wearable and Implantable Body Sensor Networks (BSN) (pp. 1–4). https://doi.org/10.1109/BSN.2019.8771080
  • Hanley, A. W., Gililland, J., & Garland, E. (2021). To be mindful of the breath or pain: Comparing two brief preoperative mindfulness techniques for total joint arthroplasty patients. Journal of Consulting and Clinical Psychology. https://doi.org/10.1037/ccp0000657
  • Zahrabi, Sh., Shairi, M. R., & Heydari Nesab, L. (2015). The effect of the group therapy program based on acceptance and mindfulness (MAGT) on reducing the fear of negative evaluation of people with social anxiety disorder. Razi Journal of Medical Sciences, 22(140), 1–11.
  • Ahmadi, T., Khaierati, H., & Ghobari Bonab, B. (2019). The effectiveness of mindfulness-based training on the cognitive regulation of emotion and cognitive flexibility of mothers of children with learning disabilities. Exceptional Children's Empowerment Journal, 32(3), 71–84.
  • Fatahi, S., Deldade Moghadam, M., & Taghavi, F. (2018). The effectiveness of mindfulness training on the resilience and happiness of mothers with children with learning disabilities. Disability Studies, 1–6.
  • Ghazanfari, F., Hosseini Ramghani, N. A., Moradiani Gizeroud, S. Kh., Mehrabi, M., & Panahi, H. (2016). Investigating the effectiveness of the parenting training program based on mindfulness on the public health of mothers with children with oppositional defiant disorder. Medical Science Studies, 27(7), 641629–641.
  • Belschner, L., Yao Lin, S., Yamin, D. F., Best, J. R., Edalati, K., McDermid, J., & Stewart, S. E. (2020). Mindfulness-based skills training group for parents of obsessive-compulsive disorder-affected children: A caregiver-focused intervention. Complementary Therapies in Clinical Practice, 39, 101098. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.ctcp.2020.101098
  • Wolf, C., & Serpa, J. G. (2015). A clinician's guide to teaching mindfulness: The comprehensive session-by-session program for mental health professionals and health care providers. New Harbinger Publications.
  • Hoshyar, M., Kakavand, A. R., & Ahmadi, A. (2018). The effectiveness of mindfulness on the quality of life and coping styles of mothers of children with autism spectrum disorder. Social Work Quarterly, 7(2), 32–39.
  • Jeffrey, M., & Gresson, M. S. (2009). Mindfulness research update: 2008. Complementary Health Practice Review, 14, 10–18. https://doi.org/10.1177/1533210108329862
  • Soroush Vala, A. (2020). The effectiveness of mindfulness-based interventions on marital satisfaction and coping styles in parents of children with autism spectrum disorder. New Ideas of Psychology Quarterly, 4(8), 1–12.
  • Esmaili, M., Basiri, N., & Khaier, Z. (2016). The effectiveness of mindfulness-based therapy on increasing the psychological well-being of mothers with children with learning disabilities. Learning Disabilities Journal, 6(1), 26–39.
  • Shirazi Tehrani, A. R., & Gholamrezaei, S. (2015). The effectiveness of mindfulness-based stress reduction training on the public health of mothers of mentally retarded children. Exceptional Education and Training, 137, 5–16.
Transactions on Data Analysis in Social Science
Volume 5, Issue 1
Winter 2023
Pages 1-10

  • Receive Date 17 November 2022
  • Revise Date 01 January 2023
  • Accept Date 27 February 2023