سمانه سادات جعفرطباطبایی

Objective: The objective of the present study was to compare the effectiveness of systemic family therapy in reducing alexithymia, increasing psychological capital, and enhancing mental vitality in mothers infected with COVID-19 who have autistic children. Methods: The research method was a quasi-experimental design utilizing a pretest-posttest and follow-up with a control group. The statistical population included mothers infected with COVID-19 who have autistic children in the city of Mashhad, referring to the Avaye Salamat Center (total number: 70 individuals). Data were collected using a cluster random sampling method, ultimately selecting 30 individuals and assigning them into two groups of 15 each, experimental and control. For data collection and assessment of desired features and conditions, demographic forms and marital intimacy, forgiveness, and marital burnout questionnaires were used. Participants in the experimental group underwent systemic family therapy according to Bowen's (2009) protocol in 8 sessions of 90 minutes each, twice a week. Data analysis was conducted using repeated measures analysis of variance and SPSS-16 statistical software. Findings: The results indicated that systemic family therapy significantly reduced alexithymia (F=6.25, P=0.004), increased psychological capital (F=9.65, P=0.001), and enhanced mental vitality (F=7.29, P=0.001) in mothers infected with COVID-19 who have autistic children (P<0.05). Conclusion: Systemic family therapy can be utilized to improve alexithymia, psychological capital, and mental vitality in mothers infected with COVID-19 who have autistic children.

Objective: The study aimed to compare the effectiveness of attachment-based play therapy and parent-child relationship-based play therapy on internalizing and externalizing behavioral disorders in children with learning disabilities. Methods: This quasi-experimental study employed a pre-test, post-test, and follow-up design with a control group. A total of 45 children with learning disabilities were selected through purposive sampling and randomly assigned to three groups: attachment-based play therapy, parent-child relationship-based play therapy, and a control group. The study used the Achenbach and Rescorla (2001) Behavioral Disorders Questionnaire to measure internalizing and externalizing behaviors at each stage. Both experimental groups received nine 60-minute therapy sessions. Data were analyzed using repeated measures ANOVA and ANCOVA to compare the effectiveness of the interventions. Findings: The findings indicated that both attachment-based play therapy and parent-child relationship-based play therapy significantly reduced internalizing and externalizing behavioral disorders in children with learning disabilities, with large effect sizes (η² = 0.864 and η² = 0.773, respectively). Repeated measures ANOVA and ANCOVA confirmed the interventions' effectiveness (p < 0.001), and Bonferroni post-hoc tests revealed significant differences between the experimental groups and the control group, but no significant differences between the two experimental groups. The positive effects were sustained over time, demonstrating the long-term efficacy of both therapeutic approaches. Conclusion: Both attachment-based play therapy and parent-child relationship-based play therapy effectively reduce internalizing and externalizing disorders in children with learning disabilities, with lasting effects over time.