The Effectiveness of Cognitive-Behavioral Therapy on Mental Health and Irrational Beliefs of Mothers of Children with Autism Spectrum Disorders in Iran: Systematic Review

Abstract Background and purpose: In general, the level of mental health of mothers of children with autism is lower than the parents of normal children and parents of children with chronic diseases, and they use more irrational ideas and beliefs. One of the most widely used and effective methods to improve most psychological features is cognitive behavioral therapy. The aim of this study was to evaluate the effect of CBT treatment on mental health and irrational beliefs of mothers of children with autism spectrum disorders in Iran by systematic review and meta-analysis. Methods: In this study, a search was performed using valid Persian and English keywords without time limit until 2021. Finally, 6 studies that met the inclusion criteria were selected and analyzed. In order to evaluate the heterogeneity of the studies, Q test and I2 index were used. Data were analyzed using MEDCALC software. Results: In six studies analyzed with a sample size of 204 people, the mean standardized difference in mental health score in the intervention group with 95% confidence interval (1.340 to 0.427) was 0.883 units higher than the control group. Also, the mean standardized difference of irrational beliefs score in the intervention group with 95% confidence interval (-0.227 to 0.751) was 0.122 units. Conclusion: The results of meta-analysis of the studies showed that cognitive-behavioral therapy is effective on the mental health of mothers of autistic children but has no effect on their irrational beliefs. Therefore, cognitive-behavioral therapy is recommended as an effective and complementary method to the mental health of mothers of children with autism.