Raising and taking care of children with special needs is a significant as well as challenging matter. Many approaches have been utilized to increase the quality of education for them and reduce the adverse impacts of variables such as stress and depression. One of these approaches, which has received a lot of attention in recent decades in Iran, is logotherapy. The purpose of this meta-analysis was to determine the effectiveness of logotherapy in parents of children with special needs. The purpose of this meta-analysis was to determine the effectiveness of logotherapy in parents of children with special needs. Using the meta-analysis method, this research determines the effect size of logotherapy by integrating the results of different research. Nine reviewed studies, published between 2011 and 2021, in terms of methodology were selected and meta-analysis was performed on them. The sources of data search were SID, NOORMAGS, MAGIRAN, and CIVILICA. Data analysis was done using CMA2 software and Hedges' g index. The findings show that investigating the heterogeneity of effects using Cochran's Q test, the Q value was 153.30 and the I square was 92.17, which is significant (p<0.001). As a result, the effect sizes are heterogeneous and the random effect model should be considered to analyze the effects. The size of the random effect is equal to 1.08. Similarly, the value of random hedges' g equal to 1.04 was obtained. Therefore, it can be said that logotherapy has had a great effect on the parents of children with special needs.
Keywords: Meta-Analysis, Logo-Therapy, Parents of Children with Special Needs.
 
 
 
Extended Abstract

Introduction

The presence of children in families is often associated with positive emotions and experiences. Nevertheless, children with special needs can engender feelings of psychological stress for families (Hadi, et al., 2020). Children with special needs are characterized as those affected by intellectual disabilities, hearing impairments, speech or language impairments, visual impairments, serious emotional disturbances, orthopedic impairments, autism, traumatic brain injury, other health impairments, or specific learning disabilities, necessitating specialized educational services (Hadi, et al., 2020). Parenting in itself poses challenges, and these difficulties can become magnified in the context of caring for children with disabilities (Masefield et. al., 2020).
Studies have demonstrated that parents of children with special needs experience elevated levels of stress and depression (Masefield, et. al., 2020; Plant & Sanders, 2007). Moreover, these parents encounter a formidable array of caregiving challenges that further exacerbate psychological stress and jeopardize their mental well-being (Smith, et al., 2022). Research also indicates that numerous therapeutic interventions are employed to foster mental health and relieve stress within parental caregiving, particularly among parents of children with special needs (Benn et. al., 2012). Parents frequently lean on spirituality for support but also require professional assistance. Studies consistently indicate that logotherapy education exerts a substantial positive effect on the well-being of individuals with disabilities and their parents. It has been shown that a deeper understanding of life is strongly associated with enhanced quality of life, physical well-being, and diminished levels of psychological stress, depression, and anxiety (Roepke et. al., 2014; Steger, 2013). A valuable method for reconciling disparate findings across diverse studies is meta-analysis, a statistical technique that amalgamates the outcomes from independent studies, thereby resulting in conclusions that are both more valid and precise than those generated by singular studies (Rosenthal & DiMatteo, 2001). Meta-analysis encompasses a set of systematic procedures for resolving discrepancies in research findings by aggregating and correlating the results of multiple studies utilizing a common metric (Lipsey & Wilson. 2001).
Research Question
The central research query concerns the efficacy of group logotherapy in previous studies, specifically in its application to parents of children with special needs.

Methodology

This study employed a meta-analysis approach, meticulously adhering to the prescribed research objectives. The chosen studies strictly adhered to predefined inclusion criteria, covering methodological considerations such as the population, sample, validity and reliability of instruments, statistical analysis methods, and the precision of calculations. The initial stage involved a comprehensive review of all research conducted in Iran, spanning from 2011 to 2021, that examined the effectiveness of logotherapy for parents of children with special needs. These included the search terms: "group logotherapy," "effectiveness of group logotherapy," "parents of children with special needs," and "parents of children with disabilities." To calculate the effect size, the Comprehensive Meta-Analysis 2 (CMA2) software, along with Hedges' g index, were selected as the primary analysis method.

Results

The information presented in Table 1 includes the mean effect sizes of studies on logotherapy, focusing on the difficulties faced by families with special needs children. Here, logotherapy serves as the independent variable, whereas various dimensions connected to the parents of these children constitute the dependent variables. Through the examination of Cochran's Q test, a Q value of 153.30 and an I-squared value of 92.17 was obtained, which signifies significance (p<0.001). This discrepancy indicates that the log therapy effect sizes in this study are variable, suggesting the need for a random effect model for further analysis. In the output generated by CMA, a random effect size of 1.08 was determined. The random value of Hedges' g was calculated to be 1.04, with the effect size of the intervention deemed to be large (greater than 0.8) and highly significant (p<0.001). Consequently, this leads to the conclusion that logotherapy possesses a substantial impact on the difficulties faced by families with special needs.
Table 1. Results of meta-analysis, based on effect size indices




p


Z


0.95 CI


Hedges' g


Means differences


Dependent variables




Upper bond


Lower bond


g


S.E


Variance


Std.D


S.E






0.08


1.77


-0.07


1.36


0.65


0.36


0.65


0.66


0.38


Happiness




0.22


1.22


-0.27


1.14


0.44


0.36


0.44


0.45


0.37


Mental Health




0.02


2.25


0.13


1.93


1.03


0.46


1.03


1.08


0.48


Parent-Child Relationship




0.00


5.68


3.62


7.43


5.52


0.97


5.52


5.77


1.02


Family Functioning




0.00


5.04


1.86


4.22


3.04


0.60


3.04


3.15


0.62


Meaning in Life




0.04


-2.03


-1.80


-0.03


-0.92


0.45


-0.92


-0.96


0.47


Quality of Life




0.00


-4.71


-4.28


-1.76


-3.02


0.64


-3.02


-3.15


0.67


Resilience




0.01


2.59


0.24


1.71


0.98


0.38


0.98


1.00


0.39


Coherence




0.04


2.07


0.03


1.15


0.59


0.28


0.59


0.60


0.29


Quality of Life




0.01


-2.80


-1.56


-0.28


-0.92


0.33


-0.92


-0.93


0.33


Perceived Stress




0.00


6.86


2.37


4.26


3.31


0.48


3.31


3.38


0.49


Mental Health




0.00


2.84


0.32


1.77


1.05


0.37


1.05


1.07


0.38


Depression




0.00


4.27


1.67


4.49


3.08


0.72


3.08


3.26


0.76


Sense of Loneliness




0.00


5.70


0.44


0.89


0.67


0.12


0.67


0.68


0.12


Fixed effects




0.01


2.43


0.20


1.88


1.04


0.43


1.04


1.08


0.44


Random effects




Figure 1. Figure 1. Funnel Plot Results for Assessing Publication Bias
 
The presented data in Figure 1 depicts the Funnel Plot, which illustrates the symmetry of the data points on both sides of the central line, thereby indicating relative symmetry and minimal bias.

Discussion

The main tenet of logotherapy is based on the notion that individuals possess an inherent will to assign a sense of meaning to life. This view contrasts with Freud's notion of a pleasure principle, as well as Adler's emphasis on the concept of the will to power. Instead, this third Viennese approach to psychotherapy advocates for a fundamental "will to meaning" (Frankl, 2006). The quest for meaning is considered of fundamental importance, and it is not merely a secondary rationalization stemming from instinctual drives. Individuals can find meaning through engaging in valued experiences and achieving a state of peak experience through various activities, as well as through the challenges that life presents and by overcoming adversity (Frankl, 2006).
The fundamental principles of MCT are aimed at cultivating and finding sources of meaning and purpose in life. One key element is the reinterpretation of stressful events, framing them as positive opportunities rather than negative challenges. MCT posits that by embracing the fundamental human freedom of will, accepting responsibility for unavoidable suffering, and recognizing the inherent meaning in hardships and obstacles, individuals can assume control over the decisions they make in response to life's adversities. The transformative quality of MCT is evident in its ability to facilitate a shift in perspective on difficulties, enabling individuals to cope more effectively with adversity. MCT therapists employ a variety of techniques, including employing religious/spiritual frameworks, mindfulness practices, goal-oriented exercises, emphasizing a specific sense of meaning in each session, and addressing issues related to self-worth and existential limitations. Through these methods, MCT therapists can enhance the client's quality of life. MCT is regarded as an effective intervention method, as demonstrated by the numerous individuals who have benefited from it, thereby fostering the continued development of this therapeutic approach (Vos & Vitali, 2018).

Conclusion

The findings from this study highlight the effectiveness of MCT in enhancing the well-being of parents of children with special needs. Hence, the application of this therapeutic approach should be extended to counseling centers, support organizations for children with special needs and their families, as well as educational settings, in order to improve the quality of life for this population. Our study results draw attention to a significant variance in the effect sizes across the studies analyzed in this meta-analysis. This inconsistency may be explained by differences in sampling methods, disparities in measurement instruments, dissimilarities in the number and duration of therapy sessions, as well as variables in the implementation of the MCT intervention and therapist adherence to treatment protocols.