The effect on well-being, self-transcendence, self-reflection and insight of the self-transcendence facilitation psychoeducational program applied to mothers of children with special needs

Objective: This study aimed to determine the effect of the Self-Transcendence Facilitation Psychoeducation Program on the well-being, self-transcendence, self-reflection, and insight levels of mothers of children with special needs. Method: This quasi-experimental study employed a pretest–posttest–follow-up design with non-randomized groups. The study was conducted between April 2023 and October 2024 with a total of 56 mothers of children aged 0 to 11 years who were enrolled in a special education and rehabilitation center in Antalya. The intervention group consisted of 27 mothers and the control group included 29 mothers. The intervention group received the Self-Transcendence Facilitation Psychoeducation Program, which consisted of six sessions. Data were collected using the Personal Information Form, the Warwick-Edinburgh Mental Well-Being Scale, the Self-Transcendence Scale, and the Self-Reflection and Insight Scale. Results: The Self-Transcendence Facilitation Psychoeducation Program significantly increased post-test scores of well-being (59.59±8.55;52.28±7.41), self-transcendence (52.22±5.64;48.03±4.82), and self-reflection (51.00±4.48;46.76±7.03) in the intervention group compared to the control group (p<0.05). At follow-up, the intervention group showed a significant decline in well-being and self-transcendence scores compared to post-test (p=0.012). No significant differences were found in insight scores between groups at post-test or follow-up (p>0.05). Conclusion: The Self-Transcendence Facilitation Psychoeducation Program was effective in enhancing psychological well-being, self-transcendence, and self-reflection among mothers of children with special needs. However, it did not lead to a significant improvement in insight. It is recommended that the program be implemented by psychiatric nurses who are adequately trained and theoretically equipped, and that care outcomes be systematically evaluated.