Comparing the Effectiveness of Schema-Based Parenting and Brain-Based Parenting on Parental Adaptability among Mothers of Children with Externalizing Behavioral Problems

Abstract

The present study aimed to compare the effectiveness of schema-based parenting and brain-based parenting on the parental adaptability of mothers whose children exhibit externalizing behavioral problems. This quasi-experimental study employed a pretest–posttest–follow-up design with a control group. The statistical population consisted of mothers of children aged 6–12 years with externalizing behavioral problems in District Two of Isfahan, Iran, during the winter of 2025. A total of 45 mother–child dyads were selected through convenience sampling and randomly assigned to three groups: schema-based parenting, brain-based parenting, and control (15 participants per group). The interventions consisted of eight 70–90-minute group sessions. The Parental Adaptability Questionnaire (Yousefi, 2021) was administered at pretest, posttest, and two-month follow-up. Data analysis was performed using repeated-measures ANOVA and Bonferroni post hoc tests. The results revealed a significant main effect of time and a significant time×group interaction for parental adaptability (p<0.01). Between-group comparisons indicated that schema-based parenting significantly improved parental adaptability compared with the control group (p<0.05). However, brain-based parenting did not differ significantly from the control group (p>0.05). Improvements observed in the schema-based parenting group remained relatively stable at follow-up, whereas changes in the brain-based parenting group were not statistically meaningful. Overall, the study demonstrated that schema-based parenting is an effective approach for enhancing parental adaptability among mothers of children with externalizing behavioral problems, whereas brain-based parenting did not produce significant improvements. The findings highlight the clinical utility of schema-based parenting in strengthening parental flexibility and constructive family functioning.