Determining the Effectiveness of Child-centered Play Therapy on Impulsive Behaviors and Self-efficacy of Third-Grade Female Students

Abstract

Introduction: The early years of life are important for the multi-dimensional transformation of children and the foundation shaping of life. There are many tactics to reduce impulsive behaviors and increase self-efficacy in students. Child-centered play therapy is one of the most effective approaches in this context. The present study aims to determine the effectiveness of child-centered play therapy on impulsive behaviors and self-efficacy of third-grade female students. Materials and Methods: A quasi-experimental design, with a pre-test and post-test with the control group, was used in this applied research. The statistical population of the study included all 9-years-old female students of Ramsar elementary schools in the academic year of 2017-2018. 24 persons were selected by convenience sampling method from two schools in Ramsar city, according to conditions of the study; then, they were randomly divided into experimental and control groups (12 persons in each group). The groups completed Wheeler & Ladd Children Self-Efficacy Scale (1982) and Hirschfield Impulsivity Scale (1965)in pre-test and post-test stages. During8 sessions of 45minutes, child-centered play therapy was performed for the experimental group individually, while the control group did not receive any intervention. MANCOVA was used to analyze the data. Results: The results of MANCOVA showed that child-centered play therapy increased self-efficacy in subscales with conflict, without conflict, and total scale (F=165.60,p=0.001,Eta=0.865). Furthermore, the effectiveness of child-centered play therapy on reducing impulsive behaviors was confirmed (F=1380.15, p=0.001,Eta=0.891). Conclusion: Based on the results, child-centered play therapy as an effective treatment to decrease impulsive behaviors and increase self-efficacy in third-grade female students is recommended.