The Effectiveness of a Parent Training Program based on Cognitive-Emotional Mediation in Improving Mother-Child Interactions and Maternal Self-Efficacy

Abstract

This study was carried out to examine the effectiveness of a parent training program based on cognitive-emotional mediation in improving mother-child interactions and maternal self-efficacy in mothers of children aged 3-6 in Yazd. Pretest, posttest, control group design was utilized in this quasi-experimental study. The statistical population of the study was comprised of all mothers of children aged 3-6 who were not diagnosed with any mental condition and attended kindergarten in Yazd in 2018. The research sample consisted of 23 mothers who voluntarily participated in the study and were randomly assigned to the experimental (N= 10) and control groups (N= 13).The experimental group received cognitive-emotional mediation parent training program in 6 weekly sessions; however, the control group was not exposed to any intervention. Before and after the training program both groups were pre- and post-tested via Pianta Child-Parent Relationship Scale (1992) and Dumka Parenting Self-Agency Measure (1996). Data were analyzed using ANCOVA and MANCOVA. Results indicated that parent training based on cognitive-emotional mediation enhanced the quality of mother-child interactions and maternal self-efficacy and decreased the conflicts between mothers and children. The findings revealed the significance of cognitive-emotional mediation in promoting daily mother and child interactions.

Keywords

• mediation
• parent training
• mother-child relationship
• parenting self-efficacy