Fundamentals of Mental Health

Fundamentals of Mental Health

The effectiveness of play therapy with life skills approach on separation anxiety syndrome in preschool children

Document Type : Research Paper

Authors
Amir Mohammad Mostafazadeh 1
Hoda Refougaran 2
Marjan Moradi 3
Mousalreza Adinepour Sarab 4
Kimia Sabbagh 5
1 MS.c. in consulting, Islamic Azad University, Ghaen Branch, Ghaen, Iran
2 MS.c. in clinical psychology, Islamic Azad University, Mashhad Branch, Mashhad, Iran
3 Ph.D. in clinical psychology, Psychiatry and Behavioral Sciences Research Center, Mashhad University of Medical Sciences, Mashhad, Iran
4 M.Sc. Mashhad University of Medical Sciences, Mashhad, Iran
5 MS.c. in consulting, Islamic Azad University, Mashhad Branch, Mashhad, Iran
10.22038/jfmh.2022.20029
Abstract
Introduction: The aim of this study was to investigate the effect of play therapy with life skills approach on reducing separation anxiety syndrome in preschool children.
Materials and Methods: The statistical population of this study was all the leading preschool students with separation anxiety disorder in Mashhad city-Iran in the academic year of 2018-2019. Based on Cochran's formula, 30 children were selected by the convenient sampling method and were randomly divided into two groups of experimental (n= 15) and control (n= 15). The Separation Anxiety Scale (Hahn et al. 2003) was used to collect information. The experimental group was also trained in play therapy with a life skills approach based on Vernon model (2006) in 10 ninety-minute sessions. Data analyzed through Multivariate analysis of covariance.
Results: The results showed that there was a significant difference between two groups in score of separation anxiety syndrome and its components in the post-test stage (P< 0.05).
Conclusion: The findings of the present study showed that play therapy with a life skills approach can be used to reduce separation anxiety syndrome in preschool children. 
Keywords
Life skills
Play therapy
Preschool children
Separation anxiety
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Fundamentals of Mental Health
Volume 24, Issue 2
March and April 2022
Pages 129-135