The Effect of Short-Term Mentalization-Based Psychodynamic Therapy on Executive Functions and Resilience in Children with Cancer

Articles in Press

Document Type : Original Article

Authors

1 PhD Student, Department of Psychology, Faculty of Psychology, University of Mohaghegh Ardabili, Ardabil, Iran

2 Professor Department of Psychology, Faculty of Psychology, University of Mohaghegh Ardabili, Ardabil, Iran

3 Professor, Department of Psychology, Faculty of Psychology, University of Mohaghegh Ardabili, Ardabil, Iran

10.22098/jrp.2026.19262.1360

Abstract

Objective: This study examined the effectiveness of short-term mentalization-based psychodynamic therapy on executive functions and resilience in children with cancer.



Method: A quasi-experimental design with pretest–posttest and control group was used. Thirty children aged 5–8 years referred to Hazrat Ali-Asghar Children’s Hospital in Tehran were selected via purposive sampling and randomly assigned to experimental (n = 15) and control (n = 15) groups. The experimental group received six 90-minute parent–child therapy sessions, while the control group received no intervention. Executive functions and resilience were assessed using the Behavior Rating Inventory of Executive Function (BRIEF) and Connor–Davidson Resilience Scale (CD-RISC). Data were analyzed using MANCOVA and ANCOVA.



Results: The intervention significantly improved resilience (F = 30.85, p < 0.001, η² = 0.54) and executive functions (F = 12.77, p = 0.001, η² = 0.33) compared to the control group. Effect sizes indicated a strong impact on resilience and moderate-to-strong improvement in executive functions.



Conclusion: Short-term mentalization-based psychodynamic therapy effectively enhances resilience and executive functions in children with cancer. By fostering emotion regulation, parent–child interaction, and understanding of illness-related experiences, this approach can serve as a valuable complementary psychological intervention in pediatric oncology settings.



Keywords: mentalization-based therapy; executive functions; resilience; children with cancer

Keywords

Journal of Research in Psychopathology

Articles in Press, Accepted Manuscript
Available Online from 28 April 2026

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