The Effect of Ontology-based Existential Therapy on Hope and Coping Styles in Mothers of Children With Cancer: A Single Case Baseline Study

Background and Objectives: The diagnosis of cancer in a child has numerous adverse psychological consequences for the family, particularly for mothers. Accordingly, this study aimed to examine the effect of ontology-based existential therapy on hope and coping styles among mothers of children with cancer. Methods: Based on a single-case design, two mothers of children with blood cancer who presented to the Mahak Institute for Supporting Children with Cancer were selected through convenience sampling and received eight sessions of ontology-based existential therapy. Snyder’s hope scale and Lazarus’s coping styles questionnaire were administered during the baseline, intervention, and follow-up phases. Data were analyzed using graphical analysis, the Reliable Change Index, and percentage improvement. Results: Changes in scores during the intervention phase compared with baseline indicated that ontology-based existential therapy significantly increased hope (with overall improvement percentages of ۱۷۲% post-intervention and ۱۷۰% at follow-up), promoted the use of problem-focused coping styles (overall improvement of ۱۶۸% post-intervention and ۲۱۲% at follow-up), and reduced the use of emotion-focused coping styles (۳۸% reduction post-intervention and ۳۵% at follow-up). The Reliable Change Index for hope and problem-focused coping exceeded ۲.۵۸ (P<۰.۰۱), and for emotion-focused coping exceeded ۱.۹۶ (P<۰.۰۵), confirming statistically significant changes that were maintained at one-month follow-up. Conclusion: Overall, the findings suggest that ontology-based existential therapy can enhance hope and promote adaptive coping styles in mothers of children with cancer, supporting the need for essential psychological interventions for patients and their caregivers.

کلیدواژه ها:

Existentialism ، Hope ، Coping skills ، Neoplasms ، وجود گرایی ، امیدواری ، مهارت های مقابله ای ، سرطان