The effectiveness of mentalization-based therapy on parent-child interaction and parenting stress: a randomized controlled trial study on children with symptoms of tic disorders and their mothers

Abstract

Aim: The main objective of this research was the effectiveness of mentalization-based therapy on parent-child interaction and parenting stress in a randomized controlled trial study on children with symptoms of tic disorders and their mothers. Methods: The method of the current research was quasi-experimental with a pre-test, post-test and follow-up plan with a control group. The research sample consisted of 30 mothers and their children with symptoms of tic disorders who had referred to counseling centers and clinics in Mako city in the second half of 2022. They were selected as available and randomly divided into two groups. Experiment and control (15 people in each group) were assigned. The experimental group participated in 15 sessions of the mentalization-based therapy group intervention program, and the control group did not receive any intervention. The subjects of both groups answered the questions of the parent-child relationship scale and the short form of the parental stress scale in the pre-test and post-test phases. Data analysis was done using mixed multivariate analysis of variance test. Results: The results of mixed multivariate analysis of variance indicated the effectiveness of mentalizing group therapy on improving the dimensions of parent-child relationship and parenting stress of children (P<0.001). Also, the results showed that mentalization intervention reduces the parenting stress scores of children with tic disorder symptoms (P<0.001). Conclusion: It can be concluded that the therapeutic mentalization group intervention is effective in improving the dimensions of the parent-child relationship and parenting stress of children with symptoms of tic disorder, and this treatment can be used to reduce the psychological problems of children with tic disorder. Symptoms of tic disorder.