The Effectiveness of Schema Therapy on Loneliness and Hope for Life in Mothers of Children with Autism

Mothers of children with autism face numerous financial, social, and psychological pressures that affect their psychological well-being. The present study was conducted to determine the effectiveness of schema therapy on loneliness and hope for life in mothers of children with autism. The present research employed a quasi-experimental pretest-posttest design with a control group. The study population consisted of all mothers of children with autism who referred to autism associations in the city of Tehran in ۲۰۲۵. Considering the inclusion and exclusion criteria, ۳۰ participants who met the eligibility criteria were selected through convenience sampling and assigned to an experimental group (۱۵ participants) and a control group (۱۵ participants). Data collection instruments included the Russell Loneliness Questionnaire, the Snyder et al. (۱۹۹۱) Hope for Life Questionnaire, and a schema therapy protocol consisting of ۱۲ sessions of ۹۰ minutes each. Data were analyzed using SPSS-۲۸ software and analysis of covariance (ANCOVA). Comparison of loneliness and hope for life scores between the pretest and posttest in the experimental group showed that these scores significantly decreased and increased, respectively (P < .۰۵). It can be concluded that schema therapy was effective in reducing loneliness and increasing hope for life among mothers of children with autism. Therefore, it is recommended that psychotherapists utilize the schema therapy approach to improve the mental health of these mothers. Mothers of children with autism face numerous financial, social, and psychological pressures that affect their psychological well-being. The present study was conducted to determine the effectiveness of schema therapy on loneliness and hope for life in mothers of children with autism. The present research employed a quasi-experimental pretest-posttest design with a control group. The study population consisted of all mothers of children with autism who referred to autism associations in the city of Tehran in ۲۰۲۵. Considering the inclusion and exclusion criteria, ۳۰ participants who met the eligibility criteria were selected through convenience sampling and assigned to an experimental group (۱۵ participants) and a control group (۱۵ participants). Data collection instruments included the Russell Loneliness Questionnaire, the Snyder et al. (۱۹۹۱) Hope for Life Questionnaire, and a schema therapy protocol consisting of ۱۲ sessions of ۹۰ minutes each. Data were analyzed using SPSS-۲۸ software and analysis of covariance (ANCOVA). Comparison of loneliness and hope for life scores between the pretest and posttest in the experimental group showed that these scores significantly decreased and increased, respectively (P < .۰۵). It can be concluded that schema therapy was effective in reducing loneliness and increasing hope for life among mothers of children with autism. Therefore, it is recommended that psychotherapists utilize the schema therapy approach to improve the mental health of these mothers.

کلیدواژه ها:

Schema therapy ، loneliness ، hope for life ، autism