The Effectiveness of Painting-Based Social Cognition and Interaction Training (SCIT) on the Empathy of Children with Emotional-Behavioral Problems

Children with emotional-behavioral problems have deficiencies in social cognition abilities, including empathy. Social cognition and interaction training (SCIT) is one of the effective interventions for social cognition problems. This research aimed to investigate the effectiveness of this intervention with painting based on the empathy of children with emotional-behavioral problems. The present research is applied and semi-experimental design. The statistical population included children with emotional-behavioral problems referring to treatment. By using the available sampling method, 40 male students aged 10 to 12 years selected and randomly divided into two experimental and control groups. Data collected using the Strengths and Difficulties Questionnaire (SDQ), and Empathy Questionnaire for Children and Adolescents (EmQue-CA) in two stages pre-test and post-test. The experimental group received painting-based interaction and social cognition training for 12 sessions. The data analyzed using SPSS-24 software and a multivariate covariance analysis method. The results showed that painting-based SCIT significantly increased cognitive and emotional empathy and prosocial behaviors. Also, this intervention reduced emotional problems, communication problems with peers, and general problems in the experimental group. The findings of this research confirm the role of social cognition skills in children with emotional-behavioral problems; That’s why the painting-based SCIT can increase empathy on the one hand and reduces emotional and communicational problems on the other side