A comparison of the effectiveness of Clark and ACT parenting training on improving the emotional-behavioral problems of the child with divorced single mothers

Abstract

The main purpose of this study was to compare the effectiveness of Clark and Acceptance and Commitment Therapy parenting training on improving the emotional-behavioral problems of the child with divorced single mothers. The present study was a semi-experimental, pre-test, post-test, and control group. The research population included divorced mothers referred to the psychology and counseling organization centers of the Mashhad, Iran, during May-July 2019. Among them, 66 parents with their children were selected and randomly assigned into two experimental and control groups. Parents with their children in all groups responded to the Achenbach Children's emotional-behavioral problems Questionnaire before intervention (pretest) and immediately after the intervention (posttest). The results showed that there was a significant difference in anxious/depressed and attention problems between parenting skills training based on the Clark approach and Parent-Child Relationship Training based on Acceptance and Commitment approach. The results indicated that training the mothers in two parenting skills training and Parent-Child Relationship Training approaches can improve the emotional-behavioral problems of the child with divorced single mothers. The parenting skills training approach was more effective than control and Parent-Child Relationship Training groups in anxious/depressed and attention problems variables. Finally, it’s possible to conclude that both parenting skills training and Parent-Child Relationship Training are useful interventions in improving the children's negative feelings and beliefs about their parents' divorce and their emotional-behavioral problems, and can also increase positive feelings and attitudes toward parents and their resilience, ultimately leading to increase their compatibility with parental divorce.