Effectiveness of Play Therapy on Social Anxiety, Depression, and Loneliness in Children with Dyslexia

Elmira Khalilzadeh Klagar; Gholamreza Sanagouye Moharer; Sofiya Khanghahi

doi:10.61838/kman.ijecs.6.1.5

Authors

Elmira Khalilzadeh Klagar PhD student in psychology, Department of Psychology, Zahedan Branch, Islamic Azad University, Zahedan, Iran Author https://orcid.org/0000-0002-6109-1685
Gholamreza Sanagouye Moharer Assistant Professor, Department of Psychology, Zahedan Branch, Islamic Azad University, Zahedan, Iran Author https://orcid.org/0000-0003-1591-0341
Sofiya Khanghahi Assistant Professor, Department of Psychology, Zahedan Branch, Islamic Azad University, Zahedan, Iran Author https://orcid.org/0009-0008-5308-5358

DOI:

https://doi.org/10.61838/kman.ijecs.6.1.5

Keywords:

effectiveness, Play therapy, children, dyslexia, Loneliness, social anxiety, depression

Abstract

Purpose: The present study examines the effectiveness of play therapy on social anxiety, depression, and loneliness for children with dyslexia. Methods and Materials: The study employed a quasi-experimental design with pretest-posttest and a control group. A sample of children with dyslexia was randomly selected and divided into experimental and control groups. The experimental group received play therapy, whereas the control group received no intervention. Findings: The results indicated that play therapy had a positive effect on children with dyslexia. Children in the experimental group demonstrated significant improvements in reading and comprehension following the intervention. Moreover, social support was identified as a critical factor influencing the effectiveness of play therapy. Children who received greater social support showed more substantial progress in reading skills and a reduction in social anxiety. Conclusion: Based on the findings, play therapy can be considered an effective approach to improving the performance and psychological well-being of children with dyslexia. Additionally, attention to social support plays a vital role in enhancing the effectiveness of this method.