Abstract:

Background and Purpose: Given the ruinous impact of physical ailments, such as sickle cells and absence of psychological care, instructing cognitive-behavioral mediations is vital for enhancing family functioning to diminish social stigma perceived by these families. Most of the research conducted has focused on various recommendations for the probable betterment in the status of children with sickle cells and less on the families affected. Thus, this study conducted to determine the effectiveness of cognitive-behavioral family therapy (CBFT) in social stigma of these families. Method: The study was quasi-experimental and the needed information collected by Family Measurement Tool and Social Stigma questionnaires. The sample was 20 families with children suffering from sickle cells (SC) covered by two clinics in Manujan, selected through convenient sampling in 2016. First, the families were divided into two groups of 10 (intervention group and control group), and after measuring the aspects of family evaluation and social stigma in them, the intervention group underwent cognitive-behavioral intervention for 8 weeks. SPSS 22, descriptive, and inferential statistics were used to analyze the results. Results: The results indicated that cognitive-behavioral intervention in the intervention group, contrasted to the control group, had a significant relationship with the general function of family in problem solving (Control 1.97; Intervention, 2.26 ), emotional responsiveness (Control 2.16; Intervention, 2.21), behavioral control (Control 2.36; Intervention, 2.35), and the social stigma of patients with SC (P<0.05). Conclusion: CBFT method enhances general function of the family and reduces perceived social stigma, and this significance shows that health systems and centers should use psycstigmaherapists for more cognitive and behavioral interventions to reduce social stigma in families of patients with SC or other chronic illnesses.

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