The Effectiveness of Parent-Child Relationship-Based Play Therapy in Improving Parent-Child Conflict and Maternal Parenting Self-Efficacy

Abstract

Aim: The present study aimed to evaluate the effectiveness of parent-child relationship-based play therapy in improving parent-child conflict and maternal parenting self-efficacy. Methods: The present quasi-experimental study had a pretest-posttest design with a control group. The statistical population consisted of the Iranmehr kindergarten children and their mothers in 2019. Using convenience sampling, we selected 30 children and mothers from Iranmehr kindergarten after screening the parent-child conflict scale (Pianta, 1994) and the parenting self-efficacy questionnaire (Domka et al., 1996) and put them randomly into experimental (15 children and mothers) and control group (15 mothers and children) groups. We used the multivariate analysis of covariance to analyze data. Results: The results indicated that play therapy based on the mother-child relationship significantly increased parenting self-efficacy (P=0.020, F=6.19). The training also significantly increased the parent-child relationship (P=0.001, F=28.93). Conclusion: According to the results, the parent-child relationship-based play therapy promoted parenting self-efficacy and the parent-child relationship.