Volume 3, Issue 193 (9-2026)
J Except Educ 1405, __(193): 36-47 |
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Ebrahimi M, Taher M, HosseinKhanzadeh A A. Development of a Reality Therapy Package Integrated with Unconditional Positive Self-Acceptance and Its Effectiveness in Improving Family Cohesion and Reducing Internalized Stigma among Mothers of Children with Autism Spectrum Disorder. J Except Educ 2026; 3 (193) :36-47
URL: http://exceptionaleducation.ir/article-1-2741-en.html
URL: http://exceptionaleducation.ir/article-1-2741-en.html
1- , mahboobe.taher@iau.ac.ir
Abstract: (16 Views)
Background and Purpose: Autism spectrum disorder (ASD) is a neurodevelopmental disorder that may pose considerable challenges for children and their families, particularly in the domains of social interaction and behavior. This study aimed to develop a reality therapy package integrated with unconditional positive self-acceptance (UPSA) and to examine its effectiveness in improving family cohesion and reducing internalized stigma among mothers of children with ASD.
Material and Methods: This quasi-experimental study employed a pretest–posttest design with a control group and a two-month follow-up. The study population comprised mothers of children with ASD in Sari, Iran, during the 2021–2022 academic year. A total of 34 participants were selected through convenience sampling and randomly assigned to experimental and control groups. The experimental group received eight 60-minute sessions of reality therapy integrated with UPSA, whereas the control group received no intervention. Data were collected using the Olson Family Cohesion Questionnaire (2010) and the Family Caregiver Stigma Questionnaire (González et al., 2007). Data were analyzed using repeated-measures analysis of variance in SPSS version 26.
Results: The results indicated that the reality therapy intervention integrated with UPSA significantly increased family cohesion and reduced internalized stigma among mothers of children with ASD (p < 0.05).
Conclusion: The findings suggest that reality therapy integrated with unconditional positive self-acceptance, with an emphasis on conscious, responsible, and effective behavioral choices, may enhance family cohesion and reduce internalized stigma among mothers of children with ASD.
Material and Methods: This quasi-experimental study employed a pretest–posttest design with a control group and a two-month follow-up. The study population comprised mothers of children with ASD in Sari, Iran, during the 2021–2022 academic year. A total of 34 participants were selected through convenience sampling and randomly assigned to experimental and control groups. The experimental group received eight 60-minute sessions of reality therapy integrated with UPSA, whereas the control group received no intervention. Data were collected using the Olson Family Cohesion Questionnaire (2010) and the Family Caregiver Stigma Questionnaire (González et al., 2007). Data were analyzed using repeated-measures analysis of variance in SPSS version 26.
Results: The results indicated that the reality therapy intervention integrated with UPSA significantly increased family cohesion and reduced internalized stigma among mothers of children with ASD (p < 0.05).
Conclusion: The findings suggest that reality therapy integrated with unconditional positive self-acceptance, with an emphasis on conscious, responsible, and effective behavioral choices, may enhance family cohesion and reduce internalized stigma among mothers of children with ASD.
Keywords: Autism Spectrum Disorder, Family Cohesion, Unconditional Positive Self-Acceptance, Internalized Stigma, Reality Therapy
Type of Study: Original Article |
Subject:
Autism
Received: 2024/Apr/Mon | Revised: 2026/Sep/Sun | Accepted: 2026/Jul/Mon | Published: 2026/Sep/Tue | ePublished: 2026/Sep/Tue
Received: 2024/Apr/Mon | Revised: 2026/Sep/Sun | Accepted: 2026/Jul/Mon | Published: 2026/Sep/Tue | ePublished: 2026/Sep/Tue
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