Comparison of the effectiveness of parenting acceptance and commitment therapy with triple-P positive parenting on depression, aggression, and social skills of preschool children.

Abstract

Background: The onset age of mental disorders such as depression is usually in childhood and adolescence, therefore, effective preventive strategies and early intervention for mental disorders have the potential to significantly reduce the burden of disease globally and improve the lives of people with mental disorders. In this regard, the present study aimed to comparison the effectiveness of parenting acceptance and commitment therapy (PACT) with triple-P Positive Parenting on depression, aggression, and social skills in children and then compare it with positive parenting.

Materials and methods: The current study was a randomized clinical trial design with two intervention and one control group with three-month follow-up. The population includes children aged 5 to 7 years from the 4^th district of Tehran. Fifty-two children that meet selection criteria was selected by purposeful sampling method. They were randomly assigned to two intervention groups and one control group using a simple randomization method via a lottery. Child Anxiety and Depression Scale-Parent Form (RCADS-P-25), Aggression Scale for Preschool Children, and Social Skills Rating Systems (SSRS) were administered in the baseline, post-test, and follow-up stages. The positive parenting experimental group received group therapy during eight two-hour weekly sessions, and the parenting of the acceptance and commitment therapy group received group therapy during eight two-hour weekly sessions. Data were analyzed using multivariate analysis of the covariance test.

Results: The results of the multivariate analysis of covariance show that there is a significant difference between the intervention group based on parenting acceptance and commitment and the control group in the post-test and follow-up stages in the measured variables, including depression, aggression, and social skills (P < 0.001). Additionally, the results of the multivariate analysis of covariance showed that there is a significant difference between the positive parenting group and the control group in the post-test and follow-up stages in the measured variables (P < 0.001). In addition, the results show that there is no significant difference in the measured variables between the PACT and positive parenting groups in the post-test and follow-up phases (P > 0.05).

Conclusion: In conclusion, the results of the current study show that both parenting approaches based on PACT and positive parenting are effective on children's depression, aggression, and social skills. Therefore, it is recommended that child counselors and psychotherapists use the findings of this study in line with clinical and therapeutic interventions to help children's problems.