Volume 7, Issue 1 (Vol 7, No 1 2026)
2026, 7(1): 96-111 |
Back to browse issues page
Ethics code: IR.IAU.Z.REC.1403.102
Download citation:
BibTeX | RIS | EndNote | Medlars | ProCite | Reference Manager | RefWorks
Send citation to:
BibTeX | RIS | EndNote | Medlars | ProCite | Reference Manager | RefWorks
Send citation to:
Khodavandi Z, Kiani Q, Sobhi A. (2026). Effects of Gestalt Play Therapy on Internalizing and Externalizing Problems in Children Aged 7-10. Journal of Childhood Health and Education. 7(1), 96-111. doi:10.32598/JECHE.7.1.472.1
URL: http://jeche.ir/article-1-414-en.html
URL: http://jeche.ir/article-1-414-en.html
1- Department of Psychology, Za.C., Islamic Azad University, Zanjan, Iran.
Abstract: (683 Views)
Background and Aim Children, due to limitations in language, cognition, and emotional expression, often cannot express their feelings verbally. Therefore, play—as the child's natural and primary language—can be the most effective and direct method for accessing their inner world. The present study aimed to investigate the effectiveness of Gestalt play therapy in reducing internalizing and externalizing problems among children aged 7-10.
Research Methods This is a quasi-experimental study with a pre-test/post-test design. Participants were 24 children aged 7-10 referred to counseling centers affiliated with the Tabriz Department of Education during 2024–2025. Participants were purposively selected based on clinical interviews and DSM-5-TR criteria, with evidence of internalizing, externalizing, or both problems. The children were randomly assigned to intervention (n=12) and control (n=12) groups. Data were collected using the Child Behavior Checklist (CBCL). The intervention group received twelve 75-minute sessions of Gestalt play therapy, while the control group received no intervention. The data were analyzed using univariate analysis of covariance (ANCOVA).
Results The intervention group showed greater reductions in both internalizing and externalizing problems than the control group (P=0.001). The effect size for both variables was 99%, indicating a very large effect.
Conclusion Given the positive impact of Gestalt therapy on children's behavioral-emotional problems, the use of this approach is recommended at school counseling centers, especially in cases of comorbidity of internalizing and externalizing problems in children.
Research Methods This is a quasi-experimental study with a pre-test/post-test design. Participants were 24 children aged 7-10 referred to counseling centers affiliated with the Tabriz Department of Education during 2024–2025. Participants were purposively selected based on clinical interviews and DSM-5-TR criteria, with evidence of internalizing, externalizing, or both problems. The children were randomly assigned to intervention (n=12) and control (n=12) groups. Data were collected using the Child Behavior Checklist (CBCL). The intervention group received twelve 75-minute sessions of Gestalt play therapy, while the control group received no intervention. The data were analyzed using univariate analysis of covariance (ANCOVA).
Results The intervention group showed greater reductions in both internalizing and externalizing problems than the control group (P=0.001). The effect size for both variables was 99%, indicating a very large effect.
Conclusion Given the positive impact of Gestalt therapy on children's behavioral-emotional problems, the use of this approach is recommended at school counseling centers, especially in cases of comorbidity of internalizing and externalizing problems in children.
Type of Study: Research |
Subject:
Special
Received: 2026/02/21 | Accepted: 2026/03/21 | Published: 2026/03/21
Received: 2026/02/21 | Accepted: 2026/03/21 | Published: 2026/03/21
Send email to the article author
| Rights and permissions | |
 |
This work is licensed under a Creative Commons Attribution-NonCommercial 4.0 International License. |
