The Effectiveness of Integrated Monotheistic Therapy on the Mental Health of Mothers of Children with Special Needs (Physical Illnesses) during the COVID-19 Pandemic

Abstract

Introduction: Parents’ challenges in care of the children with special health care needs expose them to a high risk of developing psychological symptoms, such as increased anxiety and worry. This study aimed to investigate the effect of integrated monotheistic therapy (MIT) on the mental health of mothers of children with special needs (physical illnesses) during the COVID-19 pandemic. Methods: From this statistical population, using convenience sampling method, 60 mothers with severely physically ill children were selected who after testing as a pre-test and 30 people were randomly divided into experimental and control groups.  A mental health questionnaire was used. Then, the treatment sessions were held in 8 sessions of 120 minutes by observing the health protocol for the subjects in the experimental group. Then, the data were collected and analyzed by SPSS statistical software using analysis of covariance. Results: The results show that after controlling the pre-test scores, the effect of the group on the post-test scores of mental health was significant (p <0.001, F = 3.31). In other words, there was a significant difference between the subjects of the experimental and control groups in the mean scores of mental health in the post-test stage. Conclusion: It can be concluded that MIT treatment has an effect on the mental health of mothers of children with special needs (physical illnesses) during the COVID-19 pandemic as well as special conditions where stress and inflammation are on this sensitive and vulnerable group.