The Comparison of Effectiveness of Self-Compassion and Emotion-Focused Therapy in Decreasing Psychophysical Vulnerability in Mothers of Children with Learning Disability

Abstract

The present study aimed to compare the effectiveness of self-compassion training and emotion-focused therapy in decreasing psychophysical vulnerability in mothers of children with a learning disability. The method was quasi-experimental and with a pre-test, post-test design, and two-month follow-up. The control group was the population that included mothers of children with a learning disability who were referred to the Payvand counseling clinic in 2020-2021 in Melard city. Through purposeful sampling, 45 participants were selected and randomly assigned to one group of EFT, one group of SCT, and one group of control, n1=n2=n2=15. Derogatis & et al’s (1974) SCL-25 questionnaire was administered on three groups and Gilbert’s (2014) SCT on one group and Goldman and Greenberg, s (2015) EFT on one group, and data were analyzed using repeated measurement analysis. Results showed that SCT and EFT had significantly decreased psychophysical vulnerability (P<0.01). EFT had more effect and these effects remained at follow-up. Since SCT and EFT likely lead to modification, experience, and acceptance of emotions, psychophysical vulnerability decreased. Hence, these can be used as efficient packages for improving the health of mothers of children with learning disabilities.

Keywords

• emotion
• compassion
• psychophysical vulnerability
• learning disability