The Effectiveness of Transdiagnostic Parenting Training on Quality of Life and Acceptance and Action in Mothers of Lower Secondary School Children

Abstract

The aim of this study was to investigate the effectiveness of transdiagnostic parenting training on the quality of life and acceptance and action in mothers of lower secondary school children. This study employed a quasi-experimental design using a pretest–posttest method with a control group and a two-month follow-up. The statistical population consisted of mothers of elementary school children in Isfahan during the 2024–2025 academic year. Thirty participants were selected through convenience and voluntary sampling and were randomly assigned to the experimental group (n = 15) and the control group (n = 15). The research instruments included the World Health Organization Quality of Life Questionnaire (1989) and the Acceptance and Action Questionnaire developed by Bond et al. (2007). Parenting training was conducted in eight 90-minute sessions based on the transdiagnostic approach. Data were analyzed using repeated-measures analysis of variance and the Bonferroni post hoc test. The results of the analysis of variance indicated that transdiagnostic parenting training led to a significant increase in quality of life and a significant reduction in acceptance and action scores among mothers in the experimental group compared to the control group at both the posttest and follow-up stages. A significant interaction between time and group membership was observed for both main variables, indicating the sustained effectiveness of the intervention. Transdiagnostic parenting training enhances psychological indicators of mothers, including improved quality of life, greater flexibility, and reduced experiential avoidance. Therefore, it can be applied as an effective approach in parent education.