The effect of group therapy using the cognitive approach on the empowerment of mothers raising a child with autistic disorder:A randomized-controlled clinical trial

Introduction: The diagnosis of autistic disorder may impose stress on the child’s parents especially the mother of the baby. Raising a child with autistic disorder reduces parents' quality of life. This study examined the effect of group therapy using a cognitive approach on empowerment in the mothers of children with autistic disorder. Methods: This randomized clinical trial was carried out with 80 mothers of children with the autistic disorder. They referred to Autism Society Rehabilitation Center in Tabriz, Iran. The mothers were randomly allocated into intervention and control groups. The intervention group was divided into 4 groups of 10, and each group participated in 10 sessions of group therapy using the cognitive approach. The control group received the routine care. Data were collected using the Family Empowerment Scale (FES) before the intervention and two months after the intervention. Data were analysed using descriptive and inferential statistics [t-test, χ2, and analysis of covariance (ANCOVA)] via the SPSS software. Results: The independent t-test showed that the means of total empowerment and its dimensions had no statistically significant differences before the intervention. However, after the intervention, such differences between the groups were statistically significant (P < 0.001); so that the mothers in the intervention group achieved higher scores on empowerment and its dimensions compared with the control group. Conclusion: Group therapy using the cognitive approach can be used by healthcare professionals in rehabilitation centers for empowering the mothers of children with autistic disorder.