The Effectiveness of Integrated Monotheistic Therapy on the Mental Health of Mothers of Children with Special Needs (Physical Illnesses) during the COVID-19 Pandemic

Mohammad Ali Shayegh; FaridehSadat Sajjadi; Masomeh  Dashtabadi; Fatemeh Yavari

doi:10.18502/tbj.v20i6(s1).9708

Mohammad Ali Shayegh M.Sc., Department of Clinical Psychology, Yazd General Directorate of Education, Yazd, Iran
FaridehSadat Sajjadi Instructor, Department of Educational Sciences, Payame Noor University of Rezvanshahr Sadough, Yazd, Iran
Masomeh Dashtabadi PhD Student, of Consulting, Islamic Azad University, Yazd, Iran
Fatemeh Yavari Instructor, Department of Psychology, Payame Noor University of Rezvanshahr Sadough, Yazd, Iran

DOI: https://doi.org/10.18502/tbj.v20i6(s1).9708

Keywords: Monotheistic Integrated Therapy, Mental Health, Children with Special Needs

Abstract

Introduction: Parents’ challenges in care of the children with special health care needs expose them to a high risk of developing psychological symptoms, such as increased anxiety and worry. This study aimed to investigate the effect of integrated monotheistic therapy (MIT) on the mental health of mothers of children with special needs (physical illnesses) during the COVID-19 pandemic.

Methods: From this statistical population, using convenience sampling method, 60 mothers with severely physically ill children were selected who after testing as a pre-test and 30 people were randomly divided into experimental and control groups. A mental health questionnaire was used. Then, the treatment sessions were held in 8 sessions of 120 minutes by observing the health protocol for the subjects in the experimental group. Then, the data were collected and analyzed by SPSS statistical software using analysis of covariance.

Results: The results show that after controlling the pre-test scores, the effect of the group on the post-test scores of mental health was significant (p <0.001, F = 3.31). In other words, there was a significant difference between the subjects of the experimental and control groups in the mean scores of mental health in the post-test stage.

Conclusion: It can be concluded that MIT treatment has an effect on the mental health of mothers of children with special needs (physical illnesses) during the COVID-19 pandemic as well as special conditions where stress and inflammation are on this sensitive and vulnerable group.