The Effect of Family System Play Therapy on Family Environment and Behavioral Problems in Children with Attention-Deficit/ Hyperactivity Disorder

Numerous studies have focused separately on the effectiveness of the systemic family therapy approach in solving family problems or using play therapy or family-centered therapies to reduce behavioral problems in children with ADHD. In this study, Family System therapy and play therapy were combined to work with these children and their families. This study aimed to evaluate the effectiveness of family system play therapy on the family environment and behavioral problems of children with ADHD. In this study, a single case experimental design of multiple baselines was used. The statistical population included all children aged 6 to 8 years with ADHD and their families in Tehran who referred to "Tasmim", "AftabeZendegi", "baraneDanesh" counseling centers in 2020-2021, and 3 children were selected based on inclusion criteria. Subjects were randomly selected for the research project and 10 sessions of intervention were performed. The measuring instruments of the present study were the Rutter Children) Rutter, 1967( and the Moos Family Environment Scale )Moos & Moos, 1994). Findings were analyzed based on visual analysis and descriptive statistics, level, trend, and variability. Findings showed that Family System Play Therapy ‌was effective in improving the family environment (for all three subjects) and reducing the behavioral problems of children with ADHD (for all three subjects). Findings show the effectiveness of family system play therapy on the behavioral problem and family environment. Therefore, it is recommended that family and child psychologists and therapists use this method to improve behavioral problems and the family environment.