Comparison of the Effectiveness of Mindfulness-based Cognitive Therapy and Transdiagnostic Therapy on Mind Wandering in Mothers of Children with Autism
Shima Mousavi, Hossein Ebrahimi Moghaddam, Shahram Nematzadeh
International Journal of Education and Cognitive Sciences December 30, 2025 DOI: 10.61838/kman.ijecs.85 (opens in new tab)
Study at a glance
AI-extracted from the abstract| Characteristics | Semi-experimental with pre-test and post-test control group Peer reviewed |
|---|---|
| Sample size | 47 |
| Population | Mothers of children with autism referred to the Autism Association in Tehran |
| Interventions | Mindfulness-based Cognitive Therapy Transdiagnostic Therapy |
| Duration | 10-week intervention, no follow-up reported |
| Measures | Mind-Wandering Questionnaire |
| Topics | Meditation |
| Keywords | Bonferroni correction Intervention counseling Cognition Autism Psychological intervention Population Clinical psychology Post-hoc analysis Group psychotherapy Cognitive therapy Multivariate analysis Analysis of covariance Post hoc Sample size determination |
| Key findings | Both mindfulness-based cognitive therapy and transdiagnostic therapy significantly reduced mind wandering in mothers of children with autism, with transdiagnostic therapy being more effective than MBCT. |
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.