Effectiveness of mindful parenting training on mental health and parenting competence on mothers of children with special needs

Aim: This research investigates the effectiveness of mindful parenting training on mental health and parenting competence for mothers of children with special needs. Methods: This quasi-experimental research was performed using pretest/post-test and control group and statistical population included all of the mothers of children with special needs in Dezful who were studying at exceptional schools during the years 2016-2017. A total of 49 mothers were selected through convenience sampling method and  put into two experimental (25) and control (24) groups. control group. The pretest was implemented for both groups. The experimental group had nine 90-minute educational classes about mindful parenting. Following the educational classes,  the post-test was implemented. The surveys used in this research included Symptoms Checklist 90-Revised (SCL-90-R) and Parenting Sense of Competence (PSOC). Data were analyzed using analysis of covariance. Findings: The results indicated the effectiveness of mindful parenting training on mental health and parenting competence on mothers of children with special needs (p < 0.05). Conclusion: This method is effective and useful to improve the mental health of families with children with special needs.