The Effects of Group Counseling Utilizing Narrative Therapy on Self-Compassion and Parenting Self-Efficacy in Mothers of Children with Disabilities: Quasi-Experimental Method

Purpose: This study aimed to investigate the impact of group counseling using narrative therapy on self-compassion and parenting self-efficacy among mothers of children with disabilities. Methods: A quasi-experimental design was employed, featuring a non-equivalent control group with non-synchronized pretest and posttest measures. The participants included 40 mothers of children with disabilities from G province and D city, with 20 assigned to the experimental group and 20 to the control group. Data was collected from March 4, 2024, to June 14, 2024. The research utilized the Korean version of the self-compassion scale and the parenting sense of competence scale. The intervention comprised 12 sessions, each lasting 60 minutes, conducted over six weeks. Data analysis was performed using the x² test, Fisher's exact probability test, and independent t-test with IBM SPSS Statistics 25. Results: The experimental group exhibited significant increases in self-compassion (t=2.63, p=.012) and parenting self-efficacy (t=3.08, p=.004) following participation in the narrative therapy group counseling. Conclusion: The findings suggest that group counseling utilizing narrative therapy is an effective mental health nursing intervention for enhancing self-compassion and parenting self-efficacy among mothers of children with disabilities.