The effectiveness of play therapy on behavioral problems, loneliness and depression of deaf children

The purpose of this study was to investigate the effectiveness of play therapy on behavioral problems, feelings of loneliness and depression of deaf children.

The research method is semi-experimental with pre-test, post-test and control and experimental groups. The statistical population of the research was made up of deaf children of Shahrood city. The purposeful sampling method is that based on the research entry criteria, 30 children from exceptional Kedars of Shahrood city will be selected, who will be divided into 2 groups in a simple random manner. Research questionnaires included Asher's feeling of loneliness in children and adolescents, Covey and Patterson Behavioral Problems Questionnaire (RBPC) - Revised form, and Maria Kovas Children's Depression (CDI). Analysis of covariance test was used to analyze the research data. All statistical operations of the research were considered using SPSS version 25 software with a significance level of P<0.05.

The research results showed that after controlling for the effect of the pre-test, the difference between the pre-test and post-test scores of the two groups is significant for the variable of behavioral problems and depression, and the mean scores of the experimental group in the variable of behavioral problems and depression are also significantly lower than the control group. p > 0.001). Also, the difference in the mean scores of the post-test feeling of loneliness in the two experimental and control groups is significant (P=0.031).

According to the results of the research, it can be said that play therapy is a suitable approach and intervention in reducing behavioral problems, depression and loneliness of deaf children.