Evaluation of Mindfulness-Based Cognitive Therapy on the Quality of Life and Mental Health of Mothers of Deaf Children

Abstract

Introduction: Family is a social system and the most important unit of human social life. In every community, retarded children are born, and their needs should be considered to prevent negative consequences on their families and improve their quality of life. Mindfulness-based interventions are considered as the third generation or third wave of cognitive-behavioral therapy. The present study aimed to investigate the effect of mindfulness-based cognitive therapy on the quality of life and mental health of mothers with deaf children. Material and Methods: Mothers of 24 deaf children were selected by convenience sampling method from special schools in Kermanshah and were assigned randomly to experimental (n=12) and control group (n=12). The experiment group received 8 sessions of mindfulness training, but the control group received no intervention. Both groups had completed short form questionnaire of the Minnesota Multiphasic Personality Inventory and the World Health Organization quality of Life questionnaire before and after the intervention. For testing the research hypotheses, multivariate analysis of covariance was used. Results: Analysis of the results showed that mindfulness-based practices have significant (P<0.05) positive impact on the quality of life and its components (physical health, social health, environmental health) and on mental health of mothers with deaf children which these findings are consistent with previous research studies. Conclusion: Because, mindfulness-based cognitive therapy improves mental health and quality of life, it is a suitable therapy to prevent problems of families with exceptional children.