The Effectiveness of a Self‑Working Educational-Therapeutic Program on Reducing Parenting Stress and Enhancing the Quality of Parent–Child Interactions among Parents of Elementary School Students

To determine the effect of the Self‑Working Protocol on reducing parenting stress and improving the quality of parent–child interactions among parents of elementary school students in Ahvaz.

This clinical trial, which includes an intervention group and a control group, has been conducted as a single‑blind study based on randomized allocation. To achieve blinding, participants will remain unaware of their assignment to the intervention or control group.

The study was conducted in Ahvaz among parents of elementary school students, using a single‑blind design for the control group and a quasi‑experimental pretest–posttest method with an experimental and a control group.

Parents of elementary school students, with children aged 6–12 years. Reporting at least a moderate level of parenting stress (PSI score ≥ 80). Adequate literacy skills, defined as the ability to read and write in Persian in order to complete questionnaires and participate in the training sessions. Willingness and commitment to participate in a 14‑week program held at the clinic. Parents of children with excellent academic performance, as determined by the average of their school grades Parents of children older than 12 years

The Self‑Working Protocol, introduced as a systemic‑thinking therapeutic approach (Joharifard, R., 2024), will be delivered in 14 weekly sessions across six phases: Body‑Awareness and Emotion‑Awareness, Perception‑Awareness and Attention‑Awareness, Future‑Awareness and Life‑Awareness. Each session will last 90 minutes and will be administered to the experimental group (15 participants) at the Ahvaz Psychology Clinic.

Parenting Stress; Quality of Parent–Child Interactions

Randomization and Allocation Concealment In this study, participants will be assigned to the intervention and control groups using stratified randomization. Stratification will be based on two variables: Child’s gender and baseline parenting stress level (below moderate / moderate or higher). Within each stratum, participants will be assigned using simple randomization.The random allocation sequence will be generated by an independent researcher familiar with statistical methods, using statistical software. Allocation concealment will be ensured using sequentially numbered, opaque, sealed envelopes (SNOSE). The envelopes will be opened only after baseline assessments are completed and eligibility criteria are confirmed.

Participants will be unaware of their allocation to the intervention or control group. They will be informed that they are participating in a parenting‑related educational program, without being informed about the specific type of intervention they receive. To minimize potential bias during data collection, information regarding group allocation will be kept confidential and will not be disclosed to participants until the completion of the data collection phase.

Self‑Working Educational‑Therapeutic Program Data Obtained from Participants After the Posttest Findings, Discussion, and Conclusion

From September 2026 to six months thereafter

Students who intend to work in research‑based therapeutic interventions Faculty members specializing in this field Individuals who require its use for scientifically justified purposes

Teachers and education administrators who intend to use the study’s findings to improve the family and academic circumstances of students and their parents. Families and parents who intend to use the study’s findings to improve their own family and academic circumstances and those of their children.

Participants may contact the principal researcher, Ms. Kiani, via email at Shaghayeghk7713@gmail.com, or visit the Islamic Azad University, Ahvaz Branch, to establish communication with the principal researcher or obtain the necessary information directly from the university.

The individual should inform the principal researcher, after which the principal researcher will review the requester’s reasons. In coordination with the Islamic Azad University, Ahvaz Branch, the request will be evaluated, and upon approval, the requested information will be provided to the applicant.