Comparison of the efficacy of cognitive-behavioral play therapy and FRIENDS program training on behavioral disorders in children with separation anxiety disorder

Document Type : Research Paper

Authors

1 Department of Psychology, Kish International Branch, Islamic Azad University, Kish Island, Iran

2 professor, Department of Psychology, Kish International Branch, Islamic Azad University, Kish Island, Iran

3 Associate professor, Department of Psychology, Ahvaz Branch, Islamic Azad university, Ahvaz, Iran.

Abstract

Abstract
Introduction: The purpose of this study was to compare the effectiveness of Cognitive-Behavioral Play Therapy and FRIENDSprogram training on behavioral disorders in children with separation anxiety disorder.
Materials and Methods: The present study was a quasi-experimental and pretest-posttest design with two experimental and one control group. The statistical population of this study consisted of all children referred to Behavioral Disorders Clinics in west of Tehran who were selected by convenience sampling method. The first and second experimental groups received 10 sessions of 30 to 45 minutes of cognitive-behavioral game therapy and the FRIENDSprogram. The research tools were Achenbach's Child Behavior Checklist.
Results: The results of the covariance analysis showed that the cognitive behavioral game therapy and the education program of FRIENDSwas effective on behavioral disorders of children with separation anxiety disorder (P≤0.001). The results of comparing the effectiveness of the two approaches showed that play therapy had more effect on the improvement of behavioral disorders than the FRIENDSprogram (P≤0.001).
Conclusion: Both Cognitive-Behavioral Play Therapy and FRIENDSTraining can be used to improve behavioral disorders in children with separation anxiety disorder, but play therapy is more effective.

Keywords