Volume 7, Issue 2 (Vol 7, No 2- In press 2026)
2026, 7(2): 0-0 |
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Ethics code: IR.IAU.KHSH.REC.1404.070
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abbaszadeh F, Rahimi Pardanjani S. (2026). The Effectiveness of Play Therapy with a Schema Therapy Approach on Parent-Child Interaction and Clinical Symptoms of Separation Anxiety in Preschool Children. Journal of Childhood Health and Education. 7(2), doi:10.32598/JECHE.7.2.460.1
URL: http://jeche.ir/article-1-404-en.html
URL: http://jeche.ir/article-1-404-en.html
1- Department of Psychology, Kho.C., Islamic Azad University, Khomeinishahr, Iran
Abstract: (20 Views)
Background and Aim: Separation anxiety during the early years of life can affect the emotional interaction between parent and child and pose challenges to the child's emotional development,Therefore the aim of the present study was to investigate the effectiveness of play therapy with a schema therapy on parent-child interaction and clinical symptoms of separation anxiety.
Research Methods:The study employed a quasi-experimental design featuring a pre-test, post-test, and two-month follow-up, along with a control group. The statistical population consisted of all children aged 4 to 6 years with separation anxiety disorder who were enrolled in preschool centers in Isfahan during the 2024–2025 academic year. To select the sample, a child anxiety questionnaire was administered using a convenience sampling method to 230 children, identifying 55 who met the criteria for separation anxiety disorder; from this group, 30 children were selected and randomly assigned to two groups. The data collection instruments included Spence Children's Anxiety Scale (1997) and Pianta Parent-Child Relationship Scale (1994). The experimental group received 10 sessions 90 minute play therapy based on a schema therapy approach, whereas the control group received no intervention. Data were analyzed using repeated-measures analysis with SPSS-29 software.
Results: The results showed that play therapy with a schema therapy approach had a significant effect on parent-child interaction (Eta=0.46) and separation anxiety (Eta=0.45) in preschool children, and this effect was sustained in the during the follow-up phase. Play therapy with a schema therapy approach also had an effect on the components of parent-child interaction (conflict, dependency, closeness).
Discussions: play therapy based on the schema therapy approach can be considered by child psychologists as an effective intervention for enhancing the quality of parent-child interaction and reducing separation anxiety during the preschool period.
Research Methods:The study employed a quasi-experimental design featuring a pre-test, post-test, and two-month follow-up, along with a control group. The statistical population consisted of all children aged 4 to 6 years with separation anxiety disorder who were enrolled in preschool centers in Isfahan during the 2024–2025 academic year. To select the sample, a child anxiety questionnaire was administered using a convenience sampling method to 230 children, identifying 55 who met the criteria for separation anxiety disorder; from this group, 30 children were selected and randomly assigned to two groups. The data collection instruments included Spence Children's Anxiety Scale (1997) and Pianta Parent-Child Relationship Scale (1994). The experimental group received 10 sessions 90 minute play therapy based on a schema therapy approach, whereas the control group received no intervention. Data were analyzed using repeated-measures analysis with SPSS-29 software.
Results: The results showed that play therapy with a schema therapy approach had a significant effect on parent-child interaction (Eta=0.46) and separation anxiety (Eta=0.45) in preschool children, and this effect was sustained in the during the follow-up phase. Play therapy with a schema therapy approach also had an effect on the components of parent-child interaction (conflict, dependency, closeness).
Discussions: play therapy based on the schema therapy approach can be considered by child psychologists as an effective intervention for enhancing the quality of parent-child interaction and reducing separation anxiety during the preschool period.
Keywords: clinical symptoms of separation anxiety, parent-child interaction, play therapy with a schema therapy
Type of Study: Applicable |
Subject:
Special
Received: 2026/01/21 | Accepted: 2026/07/1 | Published: 2026/07/1
Received: 2026/01/21 | Accepted: 2026/07/1 | Published: 2026/07/1
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