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Background: Special care needs of mentally retarded children can affect the mental health of the mother. The purpose of this study was the efficacy of Mindfulness-Based Cognitive Therapy (MBCT) on reducing depression and increasing life expectancy of mothers with mentally retarded children. Methods: This study was a two group quasi-experimental plan with pre and post test. The population has formed mothers with mentally retarded children that are registered by welfare organization. Using cluster random sampling, 96 individuals were selected. They Completed the Beck Depression Inventory (BDI-II). Among them, 28 patients were selected that they had the highest depression scores. They assigned randomly in two groups (MBCT and control). The MBCT group received 9 sessions of Mindfulness-based cognitive therapy. Each session lasted 90 minutes. The control group did not receive any intervention. The subjects in both groups completed the BDI-II and life expectancy scale before and after intervention in MBCT group. Data were analyzed by ANOVA. Findings: Clients receiving MBCT compared to control group reported a significantly decrease in depression scores, and a significantly increase in improve in life expectancy scores at post treatment. Conclusion: Interventions based on mindfulness training can be effective in reducing depression and improving life expectancy of mothers with mentally retarded children. Therefore, apply MBCT programs at rehabilitation centers of welfare organization can be effective for prevention of distress of mothers with mentally retarded children.

Keywords: Mindfulness-Based Cognitive Therapy (MBCT), depression, life expectancy, mental retardation

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