A Comparative Evaluation of Compassion-Focused Therapy and Mindfulness-Based Cognitive Therapy on Resilience Among Mothers of Children with Cancer

Abstract

Background: Mothers caring for children with cancer experience sustained psychological distress and considerable emotional strain, making resilience a crucial determinant of their mental health. Objectives: This study aimed to evaluate and compare the effectiveness of compassion-focused therapy (CFT) and mindfulness-based cognitive therapy (MBCT) in enhancing resilience among mothers of pediatric cancer patients. Methods: A randomized clinical trial was conducted using a pretest–posttest design with a three-month follow-up. Participants were mothers of children receiving cancer treatment at Mofid Hospital in Tehran during 2024 - 2025. Forty-five eligible mothers were purposively recruited and randomly assigned to three groups (n = 15 per group): The CFT intervention, MBCT intervention, and a control group receiving no treatment. Each intervention consisted of eight weekly sessions over two months. Resilience was assessed using the Connor-Davidson Resilience Scale (CD-RISC). Data were analyzed using repeated-measures ANOVA in SPSS version 26. Results: Both CFT and MBCT interventions led to significant improvements in total resilience scores compared to the control group (P < 0.001), with MBCT demonstrating greater efficacy than CFT (P < 0.001). Subscale analyses — including personal competence, trust in instincts and tolerance of negative affect, positive acceptance of change and secure relationships, control, and spiritual influences — showed more pronounced improvements with MBCT in most domains. No significant differences were observed between posttest and follow-up, indicating that the benefits were sustained over time. Conclusions: These findings underscore the value of integrating third-wave psychotherapies into supportive care programs for mothers facing pediatric oncology challenges. Clinicians are encouraged to prioritize MBCT for optimal resilience enhancement, while employing CFT adjunctively to address self-criticism. Such strategies may foster enduring emotional resilience and family stability within this high-risk population.