Virtual training for parenting and play therapy skills to improve motherhood: Evidence from the COVID-19 pandemic in Iran

Document Type : Research Paper

Authors

1 Department of Psychology, Islamic Azad University, Shahrood, Iran.

2 Department of Educational and Counseling Psychology, Faculty of Educational Sciences and Psychology, Ferdowsi University of Mashhad, Mashhad, Iran.

3 Department of Islamic Education, Institute for Islamic Studies in Humanities, Ferdowsi University of Mashhad, Mashhad, Iran.

10.22038/JFMH.2025.90031.3268

Abstract

Introduction: During the COVID-19 pandemic, parents faced various challenges that affected family well-being, especially motherhood. We evaluated the relationships between maternal depression, anxiety, and stress with child anxiety during the COVID-19 pandemic and then investigated the effectiveness of virtual training in parenting and play therapy skills on maternal anxiety, depression, and stress, as well as child anxiety.
 
Materials and Methods: In the present study, mothers of children aged between four and six years (N= 315) were recruited in Iran in February 2021. After the initial screening was based on the level of child anxiety and the total number of dropouts, the participants were randomly assigned to the intervention (N= 26) or the control (N= 31) group. The intervention included eight virtual 90-minute online training sessions along with follow-up acclivities using a virtual offline group. To assess the variables, the DASS-21, the SCAS-Parent and the covariance analysis methods were used.
 
Results:The results showed that virtual training led to a significant reduction in maternal anxiety, depression, and anxiety. Overall, this program has been effective in improving the mental health of both mothers and children.
 
Conclusion: Given the findings, virtual training for parenting and play therapy skills can be considered an effective therapeutic method for reducing anxiety and depression in both mothers and children during quarantine situations, such as the COVID-19 pandemic.

Keywords

References

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Fundamentals of Mental Health
Volume 28, Issue 1
January and February 2026
Pages 25-36

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