Comparing the Effects of Play Therapy and Selected Sports Exercises on Self-Confidence, Physical Self-Efficacy and Mental Toughness in Children

The present research aimed at comparing the effect of play therapy and selected sports exercises on self-confidence, physical self-efficacy and mental toughness in children.

This study followed a semi-experimental design. The statistical population included children aged 9 to 11 years. The participants included 60 children divided into one control (group 1) two experimental groups (groups 2, and 3), each comprising 20 individuals. Group 2 was under the training of play therapy and group 3 enjoyed selected sports exercises. Analysis of Variance (ANOVA) was used for analyzing the data.

It was found that there is a significant difference between the three groups in the average self-confidence, mental toughness, and physical self-efficacy. The influence of selected sports exercises on self-confidence, mental toughness and physical self-efficacy of children was revealed to be more than that of play therapy.