The Effectiveness of Self-Compassion Therapy on Reducing Parenting Stress and Improving Parent-Child Relationship Quality

Abstract

Objective: The aim of this study was to investigate the effectiveness of self-compassion therapy in reducing parenting stress and improving the quality of parent-child relationships.

Methods and Materials: This research was conducted using a quasi-experimental design with a pretest-posttest control group. The study population included mothers who were experiencing parenting stress and difficulties in their relationships with their children. A total of 30 parents were randomly assigned to either the experimental or control group. The research instruments included the Parenting Stress Index-Short Form (PSI-SF) and the Parent-Child Relationship Quality Questionnaire (PCRQ). The experimental group underwent 8 sessions of self-compassion therapy. Data were analyzed using analysis of covariance (ANCOVA).

Findings: The results showed that self-compassion therapy significantly reduced parenting stress and improved the quality of parent-child relationships in the experimental group compared to the control group (p < 0.05). Parents who practiced this approach demonstrated greater ability to manage parenting stress and improve their interactions with their children.

Conclusion: Overall, this study demonstrated that self-compassion therapy can be used as an effective intervention for reducing parental stress and improving the quality of relationships with children.