Comparative Effectiveness of Transdiagnostic Treatment and Emotion-Efficacy Therapy in Improving Emotional Self-Regulation among Caregivers of Children with Cancer

Babaei, Samaneh; Bashardoust, Simin; Mojtabaie, Mina

doi:10.22038/mjms.2026.95915.5298

Comparative Effectiveness of Transdiagnostic Treatment and Emotion-Efficacy Therapy in Improving Emotional Self-Regulation among Caregivers of Children with Cancer

Document Type : Research Paper

Authors

Samaneh Babaei ¹

Simin Bashardoust ²

Mina Mojtabaie ³

¹ Ph.D. Student in Psychology , Department of Psychology , Ro.C., Islamic Azad University , Roudehen , Iran.

² Assistant Professor , Department of Psychology , Ro.C., Islamic Azad University , Roudehen , Iran.

³ Associate Professor, Department of Clinical Psychology , Ro.C., Islamic Azad University , Roudehen , Iran.

10.22038/mjms.2026.95915.5298

Abstract

Background & aim: Childhood cancer constitutes a multidimensional crisis that places a substantial psychological burden on families, particularly on primary caregivers. Caregiving responsibilities in pediatric oncology settings pose significant psychological challenges, underscoring the necessity for effective, evidence‑based interventions. The primary objective of the present study was to investigate and compare the effectiveness of Transdiagnostic Treatment and Emotion Efficiency Therapy on the emotional self‑regulation of caregivers of children diagnosed with cancer.
Method: This applied research employed a quasi experimental design with pre-test, post-test, a control group, and a three month follow up. The statistical population consisted of all caregivers of children with cancer (from birth to 17 years old) referring to the Oncology Department of Afzalipour Medical Center in Kerman during 2023–2024. The sample comprised 36 caregivers (30 women and 6 men) who were selected through convenience sampling and a semi structured clinical interview, then randomly assigned to three groups: Transdiagnostic Treatment, Emotion Efficiency Therapy, and control. Interventions for the two experimental groups were conducted in eight 90 minute sessions, while the control group received no therapy. Data were collected using the Cognitive Emotion Regulation Questionnaire (CERQ; Garnefski & Kraaij, 2001) and analyzed through Multivariate Analysis of Variance (MANOVA) and Repeated Measures ANOVA using SPSS 26.

Keywords

Cancer

Caregivers

Emotion Efficiency Therapy (EET)

Emotional Self Regulation

Transdiagnostic Treatment (TDT)

Subjects