Homework
The Effectiveness of Cognitive Group Therapy on Mothers of Autistic Children
Theoretical or Conceptual Framework
Autistic children are faced with numerous mental issues that affect their mothers’ psychology and expose them to distress; this is why cognitive group therapy is essential to these parents. Various studies have shown that cognitive group therapy makes these mothers develop new ways of thinking and handling autistic children by changing their thoughts. Engaging with cognitive group therapy reduces their stress and can cope with the complication that develops in their children due to autism. Parents of autistic are always nervous, frustrated and experience other negative traits like being pessimist, schizoid, among others.
On other occasions, the same mothers to autistic children have shown stress components such as reduced family integration and somatic complaints compared to mothers with either normal or child suffering from disorders such as mental retardation. The parenting stress of mothers with autism has become an area of interest for many researchers. Parenting stress experienced by most of these mothers are the aversive feelings linked to the demand of parenting roles due to autism (Izadi-Mazidi, Riahi & Khajeddin, 2015). Compared to parents to children suffering from Downs Syndrome, researchers have established that mothers of autistic children experience higher levels of mental stress- considering these effects, it is essential to provide appropriate measures and interventions to support mothers in improving their stress coping mechanisms.
In a country like the USA, the available statistics show that 1 out of 59 children is diagnosed with autism. Most studies agree that diagnosing a child with autism will negatively affect the mental health of their mothers; the diagnosis can also serve as good news. If autism is identified, such children will be easily understood by their mothers, teachers, and siblings; a support system is put in place to support these children to develop and flourish. However, the mothers of these children face some societal stigma and environmental issues as they adapt to the world meant for neurotypical children.
Cognitive Group Therapy
The majority of research reviews have shown that cognitive group therapy is an effective treatment of depression. In mental diagnosis, this therapy is proposed among the first-line forms of treatment. Cognitive behavior therapy becomes more beneficial when delivered to groups. The patients will benefit from group cohesion and normalization activities that are used to make the mothers engage in behavioral experiments and learn how to operate like co-therapist (Adibi Sede, Sepahvandi & Gholamrezaei, 2018). These are some of the reasons why numerous studies conclude that cognitive therapy improves the quality of life. Other studies have shown that cognitive group therapy is more effective in mental diagnosis than other psychological therapies. However, there are some cases where group therapy is not helpful to parents because there is less time allocated for the patients to open up.
Cognitive group therapy operates under the following principles; mental distress occurs due to faulty thinking. Psychological behavior may also result from unhelpful behavior resulting from a learned pattern. Patients with psychological issues can cope with them better through learning, thus relieving symptoms and being effective in their lives. Cognitive therapy tries to change the thoughts of its clients; this is done using the following strategies; the clients are taught to recognize their distorted thoughts that have created all the problems, then try to reevaluate these problems. The patients are also taught to have a better understanding of their behavior and motivate other people. Lastly, they hone their problem-solving skills to cope with hard situations. The theory of cognitive group therapy directly relates to the research topic. For example, mothers of autistic children use concepts of this theory to change their behavior and ensure they accommodate the children. Again, they change their thoughts and develop problem-solving mechanisms that are essential to support autistic children.
Conclusion
Cognitive group therapy changes the behavioral patterns of the mothers using strategies like facing the fear of raising autistic children instead of running away from them. They are given some role-playing activities to prepare for their interactions with the children. However, not all cognitive group therapists will use these strategies. The psychologist may choose to collaborate with parents and develop an understanding and strategies to solve their issues. Cognitive group therapy works to make the parents become their therapists; they can understand their problems and develop treatment strategies.
References
Adibi Sede, S., Sepahvandi, M., & Gholamrezaei, S. (2018). The effectiveness of mind fullness- based cognitive group therapy on depression & anxiety in mothers of children with autism spectrum disorder. Journal of Psychological Achievements, 25(1), 129-146.