Investigating the Effects of Play Therapy Techniques on Learned Helplessness and Social Comparison Levels in Children Living in an Orphanage

NCT07137325 | Completed

• 1 other identifier: 134665
• Study Type: interventional
• Target: 39
• Locations: 1 country
• Sites: 1

Brief Summary

Purpose: This study aims to examine the effects of play therapy techniques on the learned helplessness levels and social comparison tendencies of children living in children's homes.

Conditions

Learned Helplessness; Social Comparison

Outcome Measures

Primary Outcomes (2)

• pretest (6-week play therapy before the intervention)

  Primary Outcome Measure 1: Social Comparison Level (Social Comparison Scale) Description: Social Comparison Scale, range 12-60; higher scores = higher social comparison tendency. Time Frame: Baseline (pre-intervention, within 1 week before play therapy). Unit of Measure: Total score (12-60).

  Baseline (within 1 week before play therapy)

• pretest (6-week play therapy before the intervention)

  Primary Outcome Measure 2: Learned Helplessness Level (Learned Helplessness Scale) Description: Learned Helplessness Scale, range 0-20; higher scores = greater learned helplessness. Time Frame: Baseline (pre-intervention, within 1 week before play therapy). Unit of Measure: Total score (0-20).

  Time Frame: Baseline (pre-intervention, within 1 week before play therapy).

Secondary Outcomes (2)

• posttest (After the 6-week play therapy intervention)

  At 6 weeks (immediately after completion of play therapy).

• posttest (After the 6-week play therapy intervention)

  6 weeks after baseline (post-intervention)

Study Arms (2)

experimental group

EXPERIMENTAL

Play therapy techniques were applied for 6 weeks.

Behavioral: play therapy

control group

NO INTERVENTION

no intervention was implemented

Interventions

play therapy BEHAVIORAL

The intervention consisted of a structured play therapy program specifically designed for children residing in institutional care settings. What distinguishes this intervention from others is its targeted focus on reducing learned helplessness and improving social comparison tendencies, two psychological constructs particularly relevant to children in residential care. The program was conducted over six weekly sessions, each lasting approximately 60 minutes, and implemented in a one-on-one format within a safe, quiet room in the child care facility. The content was developmentally appropriate and included modules on emotional expression, communication, realistic goal setting, resource awareness, problem-solving, and positive self-perception. The therapeutic techniques were based on principles of non-directive and humanistic play therapy, allowing children to express themselves freely while being guided through structured themes. Unlike general play therapy programs, this intervention

experimental group

Eligibility Criteria

• Age: 10 Years - 18 Years
• Sex: all
• Healthy Volunteers: Yes
• Age Groups: Child (0-17), Adult (18-64)

You may qualify if:

• \- Living in a children's home,
• Continuing education,
• Having no hearing or vision problems.

Sponsors & Collaborators

• Muş Alparslan University: lead

Study Sites (1)

Aile Ve Sosyal Hizmetler Il Müdürlüğü

Muş, Merkez, 49100, Turkey (Türkiye)

Location

MeSH Terms

Interventions

Play Therapy

Intervention Hierarchy (Ancestors)

Sensory Art Therapies; Complementary Therapies; Therapeutics; Psychotherapy; Behavioral Disciplines and Activities

Study Design

• Study Type: interventional
• Phase: not applicable
• Allocation: RANDOMIZED
• Masking: NONE
• Purpose: PREVENTION
• Intervention Model: PARALLEL
• Sponsor Type: OTHER
• Responsible Party: PRINCIPAL INVESTIGATOR
• PI Title: principal investigator

Model Details: The data collection process consisted of three stages. In the first stage, pretest data were collected by administering the Learned Helplessness Scale and the Social Comparison Scale to both groups before the intervention. In the second stage, structured play therapy sessions, each approximately 60 minutes long, were administered to the children in the experimental group once a week for six weeks. These sessions consisted of play therapy techniques focusing on developmental appropriateness, emotional expression, problem solving, and self-perception. The control group received no intervention during this period. In the third stage, after the intervention was completed, the same scales were administered to both groups again to obtain posttest data. The data collection process lasted a total of six weeks, and the sessions were conducted one-on-one in appropriate, quiet, and safe environments in the children's homes. All sessions were conducted by the researcher, and the principle of volun

Study Record Dates

• First Submitted: July 31, 2025
• First Posted: August 22, 2025
• Study Start: August 1, 2024
• Primary Completion: September 15, 2024
• Study Completion: December 1, 2024
• Last Updated: August 22, 2025

Record last verified: 2024-08

Locations

TU (1)