The effectiveness of dialectical behavior group therapy on stress, depression, and cognitive emotion regulation in mothers of intellectually disabled students: A randomized clinical trial

Introduction This study aimed to evaluate the effectiveness of dialectical behavior group therapy (DBGT) regarding stress, depression, and cognitive emotion regulation in mothers of intellectually disabled students. Material and methods This was an experimental study with a pretest-posttest design and a control group. The statistical population included 133 mothers with intellectually disabled children divided into wait-list control and experimental groups. Then, DBGT was performed on the treatment subjects. Data collection tools included the Emotion Regulation Questionnaire, Beck Depression Inventory-II, Depression-Anxiety-Stress Scale, Clinical Global Improvement Scale, Client Satisfaction Questionnaire, and Working Alliance Inventory-Short Form. A p-value less than 0.05 was considered statistically significant. Results A significant difference in depression, stress, and cognitive emotion regulation was observed between the intervention and control groups ( p < 0.001). In the post-test, the adjusted mean of depression and stress in the intervention group showed a significant decrease compared to the control group mothers. Also, cognitive reappraisal, expressive suppression, and total cognitive emotion regulation scores increased following DBGT. Participants in DBGT had a good therapeutic relationship, were satisfied with the treatment, and showed notable improvements. Conclusion The results indicated that DBGT might affect stress, depression, and cognitive emotion regulation in mothers of intellectually disabled students.