The effect of non‐directive play therapy on reduction of anxiety disorders in young children

Abstract

Background There is strong evidence that non‐directive play therapy, which is also known as child‐centred play, may be useful in reducing anxiety in young children. Non‐directive play is an approach to playing where the child is given ultimate freedom rather than a practitioner impressing ideas on them. Objectives The purpose of this study was to evaluate the efficacy of non‐directive play therapy for anxiety reduction in children. Methods For this purpose, 20 elementary students who had been diagnosed as anxious according to the Spence Children's Anxiety Scale (SCAS) were selected through random sampling and were divided into an experimental group and control group. The experimental group participated in 10 sessions of play therapy, and after finishing the sessions, the SCAS questionnaire was implemented again as a post‐test. Analysis of covariance was used to analyse the data. Results The results of the study showed that scores on the anxiety scale reduced significantly in the experimental group. Conclusions Non‐directive play therapy was useful in reducing children's anxiety, so it may be implicated as an education plan for problematic parent–child relationships. However, more studies are needed to support these results.

Effectiveness of Psychotherapy for Internalising Symptoms in Children and Adolescents When Delivered in Routine Settings: A Systematic Review and Meta-analysis

“…The test for subgroup differences in outcomes by type of control group indicated no significant subgroup effect ( p = 0.21). When Hateli ( 2022 ) was removed as an outlier, the effect size changed to − 0.24 ( p = 0.01). The test for subgroup differences in outcomes by treatment setting indicated no significant subgroup effect ( p = 0.48; Online Appendix C2).…”

“… Gordon et al ( 2008 ) XXK 82 16.3 Mindfulness PTSD School Teachers WL 15. Hateli ( 2022 ) IRN 20 7.85 PT Any anxiety Outpatient Service clinicians WL Anx SCAS-P Parent 16. Haugland et al ( 2020 ) NOR 313 14 CBT Any anxiety School Community clinicians Active Anx, Depress SCAS-P, SCAS-C, SMFQ-C, SMFQ-P Parent, Child 17.…”