Effectiveness of Relationship-based Play-therapy on Behavioral Problems of Children with Hearing Impairment and Their mothers’ Resilience

The purpose of the present study was to investigate the effectiveness of play-therapy which is based on relationship therapy on the behavioral problems of children who suffer from hearing loss and the resilience of their mothers. This research was applied in terms of purpose and quasi-experimental in terms of method. It had a quasi-experimental design with a pre-test, post-test and a control group. Thirty mothers were selected by convenience sampling method from the students with hearing loss in Isfahan. They were randomly assigned to experimental (n = 15) and control groups (n = 15). Play-therapy training was provided to the experimental group in 10 sessions of 90 minutes, while the control group did not receive any training until the end of the post-test phase. Participants were assessed using the Goodman Strengths and Difficulties Questionnaire (1997) and the Connor-Davidson Resilience Scale (2003). The obtained data were analyzed by univariate and multivariate analysis of covariance using SPSS 26 software. The findings indicated that play-therapy training had a positive and significant effect on behavioral problems. Some of its components, include emotional symptoms and desirable social behaviors in children who suffer from hearing loss (p < 0.01). Therefore, it can be concluded that the a play-therapy training program which is based on relationship therapy improves the behavioral problems of children who are suffering from hearing loss and this program can be used in special schools for students with hearing loss.