The effectiveness of group training of attachment-based intervention of mothers in reducing symptoms of separation anxiety of preschoolers

For a diagnosis in separation anxiety in children، the presence of at least three symptoms، associated with extreme concern about the separation of a person whom one is attached to، is essential. The aim of the current study was to determine the effectiveness of attachment-based intervention on reducing the symptoms of this disorder. For this purpose، in a semi- experimental study pre-test and post-test along with the control group، 302 mothers who had children four to six years were chosen from available samples، their children’s separation anxiety was assessed through them. 25 mothers whom their children had the highest rate of separation anxiety were selected and were randomly assigned to two groups of experiment and control (12 patients in the experimental group and 13 in the control group). The Mothers of the experimental group participated in 8 sessions of attachment-based training، weekly. Mothers of both group، completed the measure of separation anxiety scale in children again، both after the training sessions، and in a two months follow up، after the completion of the study. The results of analysis of mixed variance indicated that the group training of attachment-based of mothers had caused a reduction in significance، in the overall scores of separation anxiety in children. Children of mothers in the experimental group indicated a significant reduction in the fear of being alone، fear of accidents and excessive use of safety signs. The results of this study can be used in clinical situations and problems in the treatment of children with separation anxiety problems.