The effect of psychological empowerment training on the health of mothers with young preschool children

Document Type : Original Article

Author

Yazd, Imam Khamenei Boulevard, Alam Square, Unknown Martyrs Boulevard, Islamic Azad University Complex, Faculty of Education, Counseling and Psychology Department

Abstract
This study explored the impact of psychological empowerment training on the health of mothers raising preschool children (ages 3–6). Using a quasi-experimental pre-test–post-test design, researchers selected 30 mothers from Shaghayegh Preschool in Yazd during the 2023 academic year through convenience sampling. These mothers were randomly divided into two equal groups: an intervention group and a control group. The intervention group engaged in nine structured 90-minute sessions of a psychological empowerment-based educational program, meticulously developed and refined by researchers in collaboration with professors, consultants, and educational trainers during the 2022–2023 academic year. The control group, in contrast, received no intervention. Data collection was carried out using the Iranian version of the Short Form 36 Health Survey Questionnaire. Results revealed that psychological empowerment training led to significant improvements in the physical and mental health of mothers in the intervention group (P<0.001). Additionally, maternal education level and employment status played a key role in health outcomes, with working mothers and those possessing higher educational qualifications demonstrating superior well-being. This study underscores the critical role maternal health plays in shaping both their quality of life and interactions with their children. By fostering emotional resilience and skills such as self-compassion, targeted interventions can help reduce behavioral and emotional challenges in children while strengthening parent-child connections. Ultimately, prioritizing mothers’ physical and psychological well-being during early childcare years is fundamental to ensuring the long-term mental health of future generations.

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