Comparing the Effectiveness of Child-centered Play Therapy and Story Therapy on Parent-child Interaction, Impulsive Behaviors and Anxiety in Preschoolers with Hyperactivity Disorder

This study aimed to compare the impact of child-centered play therapy and story therapy on parent-child interaction, impulsive behaviors, and anxiety in preschoolers diagnosed with hyperactivity disorder in Tehran. The research followed a semi-experimental design, employing pre-test and post-test assessments with a control group. The study’s target population encompassed all preschool children, with 45 participants randomly selected and assigned to either of the two experimental groups or the control group (each group consisting of 15 individuals). Data collection involved the use of Barratt Anxiety and Impulsiveness questionnaire, Spence Children’s Anxiety Scale, and Pianta Parent Relationship Scale (CPRS). Data analysis utilized the analysis of covariance test. The findings revealed that both child-centered therapy and story therapy significantly impacted parent-child interaction, impulsive behaviors and anxiety in preschoolers with hyperactivity disorder in Tehran. Consequently, these interventions led to increased parent-child interaction and a decrease in impulsive behaviors and anxiety. Furthermore, the results demonstrated that child-centered therapy was more effective than story therapy in enhancing parent-child interaction and reducing impulsive behaviors and anxiety in preschool children with hyperactivity disorder.