اثربخشی خانواده‌درمانی بر تنظیم شناختی هیجان و سرمایه روان‌شناختی در مادران کودکان دارای اختلالات اضطرابی

شهناز  طاهرزاده; علی ال یاسین

Authors

Shahnaz Taherzadeh Department of Clinical Psychology, Ash.C., Islamic Azad University, Ashtian, Iran Author https://orcid.org/0000-0002-2661-6204
ali aleyasin Department of Clinical Psychology, Ash.C., Islamic Azad University, Ashtian, Iran Author https://orcid.org/0000-0002-4141-0589

Keywords:

Cognitive–behavioral family therapy, cognitive emotion regulation, psychological capital, childhood anxiety disorders, mothers

Abstract

Objective: This study aimed to determine the effectiveness of cognitive–behavioral family therapy on cognitive emotion regulation and psychological capital in mothers of children with anxiety disorders.

Methodology: This applied quasi-experimental study used a pretest–posttest design with a control group and follow-up phase. The statistical population included mothers of children with anxiety disorders who referred to counseling and psychological service centers in Tehran in 2025. Thirty mothers were selected through convenience sampling and randomly assigned to an experimental group and a control group, with 15 participants in each group. The experimental group received eight 90-minute sessions of cognitive–behavioral family therapy based on the family-oriented Coping Cat protocol, whereas the control group received no intervention during the study period. The research instruments were the Cognitive Emotion Regulation Questionnaire developed by Garnefski et al. and the Psychological Capital Questionnaire developed by Luthans et al. Data were analyzed using the Shapiro–Wilk test, Levene’s test, multivariate analysis of covariance, and univariate analysis of variance in SPSS version 22.

Findings: The multivariate analysis of covariance showed that, after controlling for pretest scores, there was a significant difference between the experimental and control groups in the combined dependent variables. Wilks’ lambda was 0.71, F was 5.22, the significance level was 0.012, and the effect size was 0.28. Univariate analyses further indicated that cognitive–behavioral family therapy had a significant effect on cognitive emotion regulation, F=7.84, p=0.009, η²=0.22. The intervention also had a significant effect on psychological capital, F=6.95, p=0.013, η²=0.20.

Conclusion: The findings indicate that cognitive–behavioral family therapy can be used as an effective intervention to improve cognitive emotion regulation and enhance psychological capital among mothers of children with anxiety disorders. By modifying dysfunctional thoughts, teaching problem-solving skills, and strengthening resilience, hope, and self-efficacy, this intervention may improve mothers’ capacity to manage emotional pressure and interact more effectively with their children.

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