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The Effectiveness of Play Therapy for Children with Behavioral and Emotional Problems: A Meta-Analysis of Randomized Controlled Trials
Abstract
Play therapy has been widely utilized as an intervention for children with behavioral and emotional difficulties, offering a developmentally appropriate approach to address their needs. This meta-analysis of randomized controlled trials (RCTs) evaluates the efficacy of play therapy in reducing behavioral and emotional problems and improving overall functioning in children. Through a comprehensive review of the literature, the meta-analysis synthesizes effect sizes from RCTs assessing the effectiveness of play therapy compared to control conditions (e.g., waitlist, treatment as usual) in targeting core symptoms of behavioral and emotional problems, including aggression, anxiety, depression, and social withdrawal. Additionally, it examines potential moderators of treatment outcomes, such as therapist training and experience, session frequency, and participant characteristics (e.g., age, presenting problems), to better understand the factors influencing the effectiveness of play therapy for children with behavioral and emotional difficulties.
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References
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