مجله علوم روانشناختی (Dec 2023)
Investigating the efficacy of training based on mentalization and positive thinking on the savoring beliefs of parents with children with autism
Abstract
Background: Autism disorder, in addition to taking the child out of its natural development path, also affects the family system, especially the parents. Clinically, it has been found that this group of parents often maintain beliefs that may affect parent-child interactions and even children's prognosis, so one of the variables of interest in parents of children with autism is having savoring beliefs. There is a research gap regarding the effectiveness of the integrated package of mentalization and positivity on savoring beliefs in parents of children with autism. Aims: The present study was conducted with the aim of investigating the efficacy of training based on mentalization and positive thinking on the savoring beliefs of parents with children with autism. Methods: The design of the current research was semi-experimental, of pre-test-post-test type with a control group and a three-month follow-up. The statistical population of the research included all parents with children with autism in the autism association and autism schools in Tehran, Karaj, Shahriar and Hashtgerd cities in 2022. Using the available sampling method, the statistical sample of the research included 32 parents of children with autism and they were randomly divided into two groups of 16 people, experimental and control. To collect information, the Savoring Belief Inventory (SBI) (Bryant, 2003) was used, and the educational package based on mentalization and positive thinking (made by the researcher) was held for the experimental group in 12 sessions of 120 minutes. Data analysis was also done with the method of analysis of variance with repeated measurements using SPSS-25 software. Results: The results of the present study showed that training based on mentalization and positive thinking has increased the average total score and components of savoring beliefs of parents with children with autism in the post-test and follow-up stages compared to the pre-test stage (P<0.001). Also, the process of changes caused by the aforementioned training on the total score and the components of savoring beliefs (experimental group) remained unchanged after three months of completing the training course (P<0.001). Conclusion: According to the findings, it seems that mentalization and positive thinking trainings in the current research, with the growth of the capacity to reflect on mental states, provide the necessary platform for the development of savoring beliefs and its components, in other words, enjoying the awareness of positive experiences and strengthening the feelings arising from It provides positive experiences.
