Skip to main content

Intensive child-centered play therapy with child witnesses of domestic violence

keyboard_arrow_left Back to All Resources

Intensive child-centered play therapy with child witnesses of domestic violence

Authors & Publication Information:

Kot, S., Landreth, G. L., & Giordano, M. (1998). Intensive child-centered play therapy with child witnesses of domestic violence. International Journal of Play Therapy, 7(2), 17-36. https://doi.org/10.1037/h0089421

Findings

Children who received 12 play therapy sessions over a period of 12 days to 3 weeks demonstrated statistically significant improvement in self-concept, externalizing behavior problems, and total behavior problems, compared to the waitlist control. Between group difference was not statistically significant for internalizing behavior problems. Additionally, the experimental group demonstrated statistically significant pre to post differences in the play behaviors of physical proximity to the therapist, nurturing, and creative play, but not for the play behaviors of affection, contact, self-direction, aggression, and mood.

Sample Characteristics

N = 22 children living in a domestic violence shelter

  • Age: 4-10; M=6.4
  • 41% male, 59% female
  • 50% Black, 32% White, 18% Latine
Study Characteristics

Intensive Individual CCPT

  • 12 play sessions
  • avg: 6x weekly; 45 minutes
Measurements

Joseph Pre-School and Primary Self-Concept Scale (JPPSCS)
Child Behavioral Checklist (CBCL)
Children’s Play Session Behavior Rating Scale (CPSBRS)