Family empowerment education module for parents of children with thalassemia major: a randomized controlled study on anxiety, problem-solving, and psychological resilience

Abstract

Objective This study determined the effect of the Family Empowerment in Pediatric Thalassemia Care (FE-PTC) Module on anxiety, problem-solving skills and psychological resilience in parents of children with thalassemia major. Method In this randomized controlled study, 76 parents of children with thalassemia major followed in a thalassemia unit were randomly assigned to an intervention (n = 36) or control (n = 40) group between December 2025 and April 2026. The intervention group received the FE-PTC Module, structured on the Family-Centered Empowerment Model; the control group received routine care. Data were collected at pre-test and post-test using an Information Form, the Generalized Anxiety Disorder-7, the Problem-Solving Inventory and the Brief Resilience Scale, and analysed using mixed ANOVA and one-way ANCOVA adjusted for baseline scores. Findings The groups were comparable at baseline (p > 0.05). Relative to controls, the intervention group showed lower post-test anxiety (adjusted mean difference = -5.62; 95% CI: -7.78 to -3.46;p < 0.001; eta p(2) = 0.190), lower, that is more favourable, problem-solving scores (-2.77; 95% CI: -4.52 to -1.02;p = 0.002; eta p(2) = 0.130) and higher psychological resilience (+2.44; 95% CI: 1.08 to 3.80;p = 0.001; eta p(2) = 0.150). Conclusion FE-PTC is an effective, evidence-based and implementable nursing intervention for reducing anxiety and improving problem-solving skills and psychological resilience in parents of children with thalassemia. Implications for practice FE-PTC gives pediatric nurses a structured, low-cost protocol deliverable within existing transfusion and outpatient visits, without additional staffing or technology. Routine psychosocial screening of parents early after diagnosis, with referral to structured empowerment programmes, is warranted in thalassemia units.