The Effect of Family Counseling on Anxiety, Depression, and Stress Levels in Mothers of Disabled Children: A Randomized Controlled Trial

INTRODUCTION: This study aims to assess the impact of family counseling on anxiety, depression, and stress levels in mothers of disabled children
METHODS: The study involved 80 mothers of disabled children, enrolled in a Special Education and Rehabilitation Center under the Ministry of National Education. The participants were randomly divided into two groups: 40 (50.0%) mothers in the study group and 40 (50.0%) in the control group. The study group received family counseling in six sessions, with eight mothers per session. The Beck Anxiety Inventory (BAI), Beck Depression Inventory (BDI), and Perceived Stress Scale (PSS) were administered to both groups at three intervals: Precounseling, immediately post-counseling, and 3 months post-counseling. The control group completed the same assessments without receiving counseling.
RESULTS: In the study group, mean scores for the 1st, 2nd, and 3rd assessments were as follows: PSS (17.9±4.9,
14.8±4.3, 14.4±4.4, respectively, p<0.001), BDI (13.6±5.8, 9.8±5.0, 10.1±6.1, respectively, p<0.001), and BAI
(19.9±11.1, 17.2±10.3, 16.5±9.3, respectively, p<0.001). In the control group, mean scores for the 1st, 2nd, and 3rd assessments were as follows: PSS (15.9±5.6, 15.2±5.9, 15.2±5.9, respectively, p=0.197), BDI (14.4±6.8, 14.3±7.9, 14.5±9.4, respectively, p=0.777), and BAI (15.7±8.3, 15.2±7.6, 16.6±9.3, respectively, p=0.666). At the 3rd followup, there was a difference in BDI and PSS stress scores between the study and control groups; however, no difference in BAI and total PSS scores (p=0.014, p=0.009, p=0.927, p=0.132, respectively).
DISCUSSION AND CONCLUSION: Providing psychological support to mothers of disabled children can help reduce depression and stress levels.