Does Group Therapy Improve Resilience and Family Functioning Among Mothers of Children With Intellectual Disabilities?

Detailed Description

Mothers of children with intellectual disabilities often experience substantial psychological, emotional, and social challenges associated with long-term caregiving responsibilities. These challenges may adversely affect psychological resilience, family functioning, and overall well-being. Although psychosocial interventions have demonstrated promising effects, evidence regarding structured group therapy programs specifically developed for this population remains limited.

The present study aimed to evaluate the effectiveness of a structured seven-session group therapy intervention in enhancing psychological resilience and family functioning among mothers of children with intellectual disabilities using a randomized controlled mixed-methods design. Eligible participants were randomly assigned to either an intervention group or a control group through a simple randomization procedure conducted by an independent academic who was not involved in participant recruitment, intervention delivery, or outcome assessment.

The intervention consisted of seven weekly face-to-face group sessions delivered by a licensed social worker. Each session lasted approximately 90-120 minutes and followed a structured manualized protocol integrating psychoeducation, cognitive-behavioral techniques, mindfulness-informed practices, self-compassion exercises, relaxation techniques, strengths-based approaches, and therapeutic group processes. Session topics included building trust and group cohesion, emotional awareness and expression, acceptance and stress management, cognitive reframing and family adaptation, self-compassion, awareness of personal needs and social support, and integration of therapeutic gains into daily life.

Participants allocated to the control group received no intervention during the study period. Quantitative outcomes were assessed using the Resilience Scale for Adults (RSA) and the Family Assessment Device (FAD) at baseline, immediately after the intervention, and three months after completion of the intervention.

To complement the quantitative component, qualitative data were collected throughout the intervention from participants' verbal narratives and group interactions. These data were analyzed using reflexive thematic analysis and group process analysis to explore participants' experiences, perceived changes, and therapeutic processes.

Inclusion criteria

• Female adults aged 18 years or older.
• Mothers who were the primary caregivers of a child diagnosed with intellectual disability according to Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders, Fifth Edition (DSM-5) criteria.
• Had provided continuous care for the child with intellectual disability for at least five years.
• Able to communicate in Turkish and participate in group sessions.
• Voluntarily agreed to participate in the study and provided written informed consent.

Exclusion criteria

• Presence of a chronic physical or mental illness severe enough to interfere with participation in the group intervention or group interaction.
• Inability or unwillingness to participate throughout the intervention.
• Withdrawal of informed consent at any stage of the study.