Effect of Cognitive Behavioral Counseling Program on Psychological Distress, Coping Strategies, and Sense of Cohesion among Autistic Children’s Mothers

Document Type : Original Article

Authors

1 Lecturer of Psychiatric and Mental Health Nursing, Faculty of Nursing, Tanta University, Egypt.

2 Assistant Professor of Psychiatric and Mental Health Nursing, Faculty of Nursing, Benha University, Egypt.

3 Assistant Professor of Community Health Nursing, Faculty of Nursing, Benha University, Egypt.

4 Lecturer of Community Health Nursing, Faculty of Nursing, Tanta University, Egypt.

Abstract

Background: Parenting children with autism is often accompanied with high levels of psychological distress and negative psychological outcomes. Aim: to evaluate the effect of cognitive behavioral counseling program on psychological distress, coping strategies and sense of cohesion among Autistic Children’s Mothers. Research design: The research design was quasi-experimental. Subjects: A purposive sample of 60 mothers of children with autism was included in this research. Tools: Three different tools were used; Tool I: Part 1: Socio-demographic and clinical data structured interview sheet, and Part 2: Psychological Stress scale used to assess levels of psychological stress of mothers. Tool II: sense of cohesion (SOC) Scale used to assess levels of cohesion of mothers, Tool III: Coping strategies scale used to assess coping strategies used by mothers. Results: Studied mothers had lower levels of stress, greater sense of cohesion and effective coping mechanism post program than at baseline pre-program. Also there were negative correlations between the studied mothers' sense of cohesion & coping strategies and their psychological stress post program implementation. Conclusion: These findings support the efficacy of the cognitive-behavioral counseling program in reducing stress and increasing mothers' sense of cohesion and coping mechanisms. Recommendations: Integration the current program in psychosocial rehabilitation centers for community mental health nurses to support caregivers in early stages of caring process of children with autism for effective management of their children.

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