Comparing the Effectiveness of Resilience Training and Mindfulness-Based Stress Coping Training on Social Adjustment and Behavioral Problems in Adolescents from COVID-19 Single-Parent Families

Introduction

The COVID-19 pandemic has led to the loss of many family caregivers, leaving a considerable number of adolescents exposed to the psychological and social consequences of single-parenting. These adolescents are at greater risk of behavioral problems and social maladjustment. This study aimed to compare the effectiveness of two interventions — resilience training and mindfulness-based stress coping training — on social adjustment and behavioral problems among single-parent adolescents affected by COVID-19.

Materials and Methods

This semi-experimental study employed a pretest–posttest design with a control group and included 45 single-parent adolescents attending Health Center No. 1 in Mashhad during the 1400–1401 academic year. Participants were randomly assigned to three groups of 15: two experimental and one control. The first experimental group received ten sessions of resilience training based on the Connor and Davidson model (2003), while the second experimental group underwent eight sessions of mindfulness-based stress coping training according to the Kabat-Zinn program. Data were collected using the Achenbach Child Behavior Checklist (2007) and the Bell Social Adjustment Questionnaire (1961) and analyzed via repeated measures ANOVA and Tukey post-hoc tests.

Results

The findings indicated that both interventions effectively improved adolescents’ psychological indicators. Resilience training was more effective in reducing internalizing behavioral problems (such as anxiety and depression), whereas mindfulness-based stress coping training significantly enhanced social adjustment.

Conclusion

both interventions contributed to the psychological well-being of single-parent adolescents. Integrating resilience and mindfulness-based programs is recommended as a practical approach to promote mental health and social adaptation in adolescents experiencing post-pandemic family challenges.