A Comparison between the Efficacy of Dialectical Behavior Therapy and Cognitive Behavioral Therapy on the Mental Health of Mothers of Children with Special Needs

Background: This research aimed to compare the effectiveness of dialectical behavior therapy and cognitive-behavioral therapy on the mental health of mothers of children with special needs (i.e. cerebral palsy, intellectual disability, and autism). Methods: This quasi-experimental study was a pre-test, post-test design with a control group. Study populations were the mothers of children admitted to the rehabilitation center of persons with physical and mental disabilities in Hamedan city who were diagnosed with depression, anxiety, and stress. A sample of 24 patients was selected randomly by acquiring one standard deviation above the mean in Lovibond and Lovibond’s (1995) Depression Anxiety Stress Scale. Then, the participants were assigned into three groups; the dialectical therapy group, the cognitive behavioral therapy group, and the control group. Intervention groups were trained in eight 90 minutes’ sessions, while the control group received no training. The participants of intervention groups were assessed by Depression Anxiety Stress Scale (1988) in pre-test and post-test. The data were analyzed with one-way ANOVA. Results: Findings revealed that dialectical therapy was more effective in decreasing emotional disorders of mothers compared to cognitive behavior therapy. As well, both intervention groups were significantly more successful in decreasing emotional disorders than the control group. Conclusion: It could be concluded that both interventions (dialectical and cognitive-behavioral therapies) are beneficial for mothers whose children’s disabilities, special needs, or disorders affect their mental health. Thus, the mentioned therapies are recommended for these mothers.