Comparison of the Effectiveness of Mindfulness-based Cognitive Therapy and Transdiagnostic Therapy on Mind Wandering in Mothers of Children with Autism

Both mindfulness-based cognitive therapy (MBCT) and transdiagnostic therapy (TDT) reduced mind wandering in mothers of children with autism, with TDT showing a significantly greater effect. In a semi-experimental study with 47 participants, mothers who received ten weekly sessions of MBCT or TDT reported lower mind-wandering scores than a no-intervention control group. The difference between the two therapies was statistically significant, with TDT yielding a mean reduction 3.07 points larger than MBCT. The authors conclude that both therapies can improve awareness and address emotional challenges in this population, and that TDT may offer a more effective, cost-efficient alternative.

Study at a glance

Abstract

Authors Shima Mousavi Department of Psychology, Ro.C., Islamic Azad University, Roudehen, Iran Hossein Ebrahimi Moghaddam * Department of Psychology, Ro.C., Islamic Azad University, Roudehen, Iran H_ebrahimimoghaddam@riau.ac.ir Shahram Nematzadeh Assistant Professor, Department of Psychology, Roudehen Branch, Islamic Azad University, Roudehen, Iran https://doi.org/10.61838/kman.ijecs.85 Keywords: Mindfulness-based Cognitive Therapy, Transdiagnostic Therapy, Mind Wandering, Mothers, Children with Autism Abstract Purpose: This study assessed the effectiveness of mindfulness-based cognitive therapy (MBCT) and transdiagnostic therapy (TDT) in mind wandering in mothers of children with autism. Methods and Materials: This study employed a semi-experimental design with a pre-test and post-test control group structure aimed at assessing the effects of two interventions on mothers of children with autism. The target population includes all mothers of children with autism who were referred to the Autism Association in Tehran during the year 2024. Purposive sampling was used to select participants. A sample of 47 participants was randomly selected and divided into three groups: the intervention group receiving Mindfulness-Based Cognitive Therapy (MBCT; n = 16), the intervention group receiving Transdiagnostic Therapy (TDT; n = 16), and a control group (n = 15). The experimental groups participated in ten sessions of their respective interventions, each lasting 90 minutes for MBCT and 75 minutes for TDT, conducted weekly. The control group received no intervention during this period. The research instruments included the Mind-Wandering Questionnaire (Mrazek et al. ,2013). Univariate and multivariate analyses of covariance (ANCOVA) and Bonferroni post hoc tests were conducted using SPSS-27. Findings: ANCOVA results showed a significant difference between mindfulness-based cognitive therapy and transdiagnostic therapy in reducing mind wandering among mothers of children with autism (F = 40.30, p < 0.01). The Bonferroni test also revealed significant reductions in mind wandering in both intervention groups compared to the control (p < 0.001). Furthermore, with a mean difference of 3.07, transdiagnostic therapy was more effective than mindfulness-based cognitive therapy (p < 0.05), demonstrating its greater impact on reducing mind wandering. Conclusion: The findings showed that both mindfulness-based cognitive therapy and transdiagnostic therapy effectively reduced mind wandering in mothers of children with autism, with transdiagnostic therapy being more effective. These therapies can thus enhance awareness and address emotional challenges, offering a cost- and time-efficient alternative to traditional treatments requiring extensive clinical training.