Journal of

Background and Purpose: Having a child with developmental disorders can impose considerable psychological stress on parents, especially mothers. Autism spectrum disorder (ASD) and attention deficit/hyperactivity disorder (ADHD) are among the conditions associated with significant behavioral and emotional challenges that may heighten parental anxiety and obsessive tendencies while influencing psychological flexibility. The present study aimed to compare generalized anxiety, obsessive-compulsive symptoms, and psychological flexibility among mothers of boys with ASD and mothers of boys with ADHD.
Methods: This descriptive–comparative study included mothers of boys diagnosed with ASD and ADHD in Tehran in 2024. A sample of 100 mothers was selected through convenience sampling. Data were collected using the Psychological Flexibility Questionnaire (Ben-Itzhak, Bluvstein & Maor, 2014), the Generalized Anxiety Disorder Questionnaire–IV (Newman et al., 2002), and the Vancouver Obsessional Compulsive Inventory (Thordarson et al., 2004). Data analysis was performed with independent-samples t-tests in SPSS-23 software.
Results: Findings revealed significant differences between the two groups regarding generalized anxiety, obsessive-compulsive symptoms, and psychological flexibility. Mothers of children with ASD reported higher levels of obsessive-compulsive tendencies and psychological flexibility, and lower levels of generalized anxiety compared to mothers of children with ADHD.
Conclusion: The results suggest that the type of child disorder may shape distinct emotional and adaptive responses in mothers. Long-term exposure to the chronic challenges of raising a child with ASD may foster greater psychological flexibility, whereas mothers of children with ADHD may experience higher daily stress and anxiety. Addressing the mental health needs of these mothers could play an important role in improving family well-being and supporting therapeutic progress for their children.