A comparison among meta-cognition, anxiety and depression components in the mothers of children with mental disorders

Meta-cognition is one of the high cognitive processes of brain which has positive relationship with other cognitive capacities and is considered as a predisposing factor in lots of psychopathologies. The aim of the present study was to examine the relationship between meta-cognition and anxiety and depression in the mothers of children with mental disorders. It was a study conducted on the mothers of 2 to 14 year-old children. 143 mothers with mental disorders (developmental disorders and disruptive behavior disorders) were selected through purposive sampling. They were assessed using meta-cognitive beliefs questionnaire, Spielberger anxiety questionnaire, and Beck depression inventory-II. Data analysis showed that there was a significant difference in the rate of anxiety, depression and meta-cognition among the mothers of children with mental disorders. Psychological health of these mothers was low so the use of a systemic approach will be useful in solving the problems of such families.