Does Brief Compassion-Focused Therapy for Mothers of Children with ADHD Improve Psychological Distress? A Randomized Controlled Trial

Introduction: Raising a child with Attention-Deficit/Hyperactivity Disorder (ADHD) can cause significant psychological distress for caregivers, particularly mothers. This study aimed to evaluate the efficacy of brief Compassion-Focused Therapy (CFT) in improving psychological outcomes for mothers of children with ADHD. Method: Mothers were randomly assigned to either the CFT intervention group (n=56) or a waitlist (WL) control group (n=42), with sessions held twice per week over a four-week period. Survey data were collected before the intervention, immediately after the intervention period, and again two months later. The primary outcomes were levels of depression, anxiety, and stress. Secondary outcomes included distress tolerance and affiliated stigma. Results: A linear mixed model revealed a significant interaction favoring the CFT group, with greater reductions in depression (d = 1.05, p < 0.01), anxiety (d = 1.20, p < 0.01), and distress tolerance (both total and subscales) compared to the WL control group. These improvements were maintained at the 2-month follow-up. No significant interaction was found for stress or the total and subscales of affiliated stigma. Conclusion: CFT led to significant reductions in depressive and anxiety symptoms, as well as improvements in distress tolerance. These findings suggest that CFT may be beneficial for enhancing maternal mental health in caregivers of children with ADHD.