The Effectiveness of Cognitive-Behavioral Play Therapy on Parent-Child Conflict and Peer Rejection in Children with Attention Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder

Abstract

Introduction and Aim: Children with attention deficit hyperactivity disorder face many difficulties and challenges in their relationships with parents and peers. Therefore, the present research was conducted with the aim of determine the effectiveness of cognitive-behavioral play therapy on parent-child conflict and peer rejection in children with attention deficit hyperactivity disorder.

Methodology: This research was a quasi-experimental with a pre-test and post-test design with a control group. The statistical population of this study included all children with attention deficit hyperactivity disorder of Sari city in 2024 year. A sample size of 15 children was considered for each group and a total of 30 children, which these children were selected using purposive sampling method and randomly assigned into two equal groups. The experimental group underwent cognitive-behavioral play therapy for 10 sessions of 90 minute (two sessions per week), and the control group remained on the waiting list for treatment. The research instruments included the Parent-Child Relationships Questionnaire (Fine et al., 1983) and Peer Rejection Questionnaire (Tahmasian, 2005), and the obtained data were analyzed using multivariate analysis of covariance in SPSS-27 software.

Findings: The results of the present research showed that cognitive-behavioral play therapy reduced parent-child conflict (and all three its components including argumentation, verbal aggression, and physical aggression) and peer rejection (including increased peer acceptance and decreased peer rejection) in children with attention deficit hyperactivity disorder (P<0.05).

Conclusion: Given the effectiveness of cognitive-behavioral play therapy on parent-child conflict and peer rejection in children with attention deficit hyperactivity disorder, therapists can use this treatment method alongside other effective treatment methods to improve the communication characteristics of vulnerable groups such as children with attention deficit hyperactivity disorder.