Document Type : Research Paper
Authors
1
PhD Student in Counseling, Department of Counseling, Faculty of Educational Sciences and Psychology, University of Mohaghegh Ardabili, Ardabil, Iran.
2
Department of Counseling ,Farhangian University, Allameh Tabatabai Campus, Ardabil, Iran
3
Department of Psychology and Counselling, Farhangian University, P.O. Box 14665-889, Tehran, Iran.
4
Department of Counseling, Faculty of Educational Sciences and Psychology, University of Mohaghegh Ardabili, Ardabil, Iran.
10.22098/jld.2026.19127.2304
Abstract
Objective: The present study aimed to investigate the effectiveness of cognitive-behavioral play therapy on cognitive flexibility, alexithymia, and communication skills in students with specific learning disorders.
Methods: This study was a quasi-experimental research with a pretest-posttest control group design. The statistical population consisted of all male students aged 8 to 12 years with specific learning disorders referred to educational and therapeutic centers in Ardabil city during the academic year 2025-2024. From this population, 30 students were selected via purposive sampling and were randomly assigned to either an experimental group (n=15) or a control group (n=15). The experimental group received cognitive-behavioral play therapy intervention in ten 60-minute sessions, while the control group received no intervention. Research instruments included the Cognitive Flexibility Inventory (CFI), the Toronto Alexithymia Scale (TAS-20), and the Matson Evaluation of Social Skills with Youngsters (MESSY). The data were analyzed using multivariate analysis of covariance (MANCOVA) with SPSS software version 27.
Results: Multivariate analysis of covariance (MANCOVA) indicated that after controlling for pretest effects, the cognitive-behavioral play therapy intervention had a significant effect on all three dependent variables. Specifically, the group effect on cognitive flexibility was significant (F = 18.967, p < .001, η² = 0.431). Furthermore, the group effects on alexithymia (F = 23.495, p < .001, η² = 0.484) and communication skills (F = 47.002, p < .001, η² = 0.653) were also significant.
Discussion and Conclusion: The results demonstrated that cognitive-behavioral play therapy had a significant positive effect on cognitive flexibility, alexithymia, and communication skills.
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