The Effectiveness of Cognitive Behavioral Group Counseling of Parents on the Behavioral Disorders of their ADHD Children

Aim: The purpose of this study was to determine the effectiveness of cognitive-behavioral group counseling of parents on hyperactive children. This was a quasi-experimental pretest- posttest design with control group. Method: The participants were parents of ADHD children. 60 of these parents were selected and randomly assigned to two experimental and control groups. In the experimental group, 9 sessions of cognitive behavioral group counseling were conducted, but the control group received no intervention. Before and after the sessions, the children's hyperactivity of both groups was evaluated by the Conner’s Parent Questionnaire. Data were analyzed using multiple analysis of covariance; MANCOVA. Results: The results showed that there was a significant difference between the experimental group and the control group after the intervention in hyperactivity and its components (p <0.001). Conclusion: Group counseling based on cognitive-behavioral approach with parents of overactive children facilitates their confrontation in various life situations, especially in relation to their ADHD children, and consequently, the level of mental health of the family will increase.