The Impact of Cognitive Group Therapy on Empowerment of Mothers of Children with Autism who Referring to Autism Institution of Tabriz.

Abstract

Abstract: Introduction: Autism is one of the pervasive developmental disorders that receiving this diagnosis impose much stress to family of these children. These stresses lead to low self –efficacy in parents, especially mothers according to important role of mother in rising child with autism. Family function can assess with family empowerment and family empowerment is important indicator for family and child with autism. Allowing acceptance and group support increase adaptation with disorder and cognitive therapy helps parents to modify cognitive beliefs, so cognitive group therapy can be appropriate treatments for parents. In this study we use group cognitive therapy methods to increase empowerment of mothers which there have been done no research like this in family of children with autism. Methods: This study is a clinical trial that target population consisted of 80 mothers of children with autism who referring to autism institution of Tabriz city. Data were collected by completing questionnaire including two parts of demographic information and family empowerment scale (FES). Descriptive and inferential statistics use for analysis of data. Results: The results show that cognitive group therapy increased family, service, community and total empowerment of mothers (p<0.001). Conclusion: According to the result of this research we can help to autism institution to choose effective ways for empowering family of children with autism and enhancing child and family function and as a result increasing treatment outcomes and better adaptation way with autism disorder.