Objectives: The purpose of this study was to develop and verify the effects of a solution-focused group
counseling program designed to improve the self-esteem, parenting efficacy, and social problem solving
abilities of mothers with developmentally disabled preschool children.
Methods: Each of the 46 participants in this study-mothers of preschool aged children with
developmental disabilities-attended group counseling sessions at one of five rehabilitation centers, located in
Seoul, Gyeonggido, or Inchoen. The researchers administered several instruments: the Self-Esteem Scale,
Parenting Sense of Competence, Social Problem Solving Inventory-Revised, and Scaling Questions in
Solution-Focused Brief Therapy. Data collection included a pre-test, post-test, and follow up-test; analysis
involved descriptive statistics, independent t-tests, and paired t-tests.
Results: The mothers in the experimental group showed improvements in self-esteem, parenting efficacy,
and both positive and rational problem solving abilities.
Conclusions: The results of this study suggest that solution-focused group counseling can help mothers
of developmentally disabled preschool children make positive changes and achieve their goals.