Armaghane Danesh Bimonthly Journal (Dec 2017)

The Effect of Acceptance and Commitment (ACT) Therapy on the Quality of Life of Mothers with a Child Cancer

  • A Baratian,
  • AS Kazemi,
  • R Davarniya,
  • M Haghani Zemeidani

Journal volume & issue
Vol. 22, no. 5
pp. 637 – 650

Abstract

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Abstract: Background and aim: Cancer is classified as a chronic disease. In spite of medical advances, cancer treatment and an increase in the number of cancer patients, it remains unique in terms of frustration and deep fear in the person. Parents of children with cancer are more likely to experience psychological problems than those of healthy children, such as anxiety, depression, and stress and, in general, mental health threats. The aim of this study was to evaluate the effect of acceptance and commitment therapy on the quality of life of mothers with a child with cancer. Methods: In the present quasi-experimental study, a pretest-posttest with control group, among mothers of children with cancer who referred to the Cancer Children's Support Center in Tehran in 1395, 30 mothers were selected as on the basis of entry and exit criteria and was randomly assigned to experimental and control groups (each subgroup of 15 people). The quality of life of the subjects was assessed using the World Health Organization Quality of Life questionnaire (ANKOVA). Participants in the experimental group were exposed to acceptance and commitment treatment for 8 sessions, while patients in the control group received no treatment. Data were analyzed using one-variable covariance test (ANCOVA). Results: The mean and standard deviation of quality of life scores in the pre-testl group and in the pre-test were 70.4 ± 6.40 and 92.97 ± 13.35 respectively. In the control group, the mean and standard deviation of quality of life scores before and after the intervention were 69.07 ± 5.73 and 68 ± 7.58. The results of one-variable covariance analysis indicated that acceptance and commitment therapy significantly improved the quality of life of the experimental group in the post-test (F = 45.35, p <0.01). Conclusion: Admission and commitment based interventions were effective in improving the quality of life of mothers of cancerous children. The treatment is recommended as an effective and appropriate treatment option to reduce the psychological problems of parents of children with chronic diseases.    

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