Comparison of the Effectiveness of Parent Management Training and Life Therapy on Feelings of Shame and Guilt Among Mothers of Children with Autism in Sari

Aref  Zolfaghar Roshan; Seyed Abdolmajid Bahrainian; Fatemeh  Shahabizadeh

Authors

Aref Zolfaghar Roshan Department of Psychology, Bi.C., Islamic Azad University, Birjand, Iran. Author https://orcid.org/0000-0003-2196-9307
Seyed Abdolmajid Bahrainian Department of Psychology, Bi.C., Islamic Azad University, Birjand, Iran. Corresponding Author https://orcid.org/0000-0003-2819-2182
Fatemeh Shahabizadeh Department of Psychology, Bi.C., Islamic Azad University, Birjand, Iran. Author https://orcid.org/0000-0001-5309-9516

Keywords:

Parent Management Training, Life Therapy, Shame, Guilt, Mothers, Autism Spectrum Disorder

Abstract

Objective: This study aimed to compare the effectiveness of Parent Management Training (PMT) and Life Therapy in reducing feelings of shame and guilt among mothers of children with autism spectrum disorder (ASD) in Sari, Iran.

Methods and Materials: This quasi-experimental study employed a pretest–posttest control-group design with a three-month follow-up. The statistical population consisted of mothers aged 25–45 years who had children diagnosed with autism spectrum disorder and were living in Sari during 2025–2026. A total of 45 eligible mothers were selected through purposive sampling based on predetermined inclusion and exclusion criteria and were subsequently assigned by simple random allocation to three equal groups: Parent Management Training, Life Therapy, and control. Feelings of shame and guilt were assessed using the Shame and Guilt Scale developed by Cohen et al. (2011). The intervention groups received their respective therapeutic programs, whereas the control group received no intervention during the study period. Data were analyzed using mixed-design repeated-measures analysis of variance in SPSS version 26.

Findings: Mixed repeated-measures analysis of variance demonstrated significant changes in feelings of shame and guilt across measurement occasions and significant differences between the experimental and control conditions (p < .05). Both Parent Management Training and Life Therapy significantly reduced shame and guilt compared with the control group. Furthermore, a statistically significant difference was observed between the two intervention groups (p < .05), with Life Therapy producing greater reductions in feelings of shame and guilt than Parent Management Training. The difference between posttest and three-month follow-up scores was not statistically significant, indicating that the therapeutic improvements achieved following the interventions were maintained over time.

Conclusion: Both Parent Management Training and Life Therapy appear to be effective psychological interventions for reducing shame and guilt among mothers of children with autism spectrum disorder. However, Life Therapy demonstrated comparatively greater effectiveness. These interventions, particularly Life Therapy, may therefore be incorporated into psychological and supportive programs designed to promote the mental health and emotional well-being of mothers caring for children with ASD.

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