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

NCT ID: NCT07137325

Last Updated: 2025-08-22

Study Results

Results pending

The study team has not published outcome measurements, participant flow, or safety data for this trial yet. Check back later for updates.

Basic Information

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Recruitment Status

COMPLETED

Clinical Phase

NA

Total Enrollment

39 participants

Study Classification

INTERVENTIONAL

Study Start Date

2024-08-01

Study Completion Date

2024-12-01

Brief Summary

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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.

Detailed Description

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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.

Method: The study was conducted using a randomized experimental design with a pretest-posttest control group. The research sample consisted of 39 children living in children's homes affiliated with the Ministry of Family and Social Services in Türkiye. Participants were randomly assigned to experimental (n=21) and control (n=18) groups. The experimental group received a six-week structured play therapy program. Data were collected using a Personal Information Form, the Learned Helplessness Scale, and the Social Comparison Scale, and nonparametric tests were used in analyses.

Conditions

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Learned Helplessness Social Comparison

Study Design

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Allocation Method

RANDOMIZED

Intervention Model

PARALLEL

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
Primary Study Purpose

PREVENTION

Blinding Strategy

NONE

Study Groups

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experimental group

Play therapy techniques were applied for 6 weeks.

Group Type EXPERIMENTAL

play therapy

Intervention Type 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

control group

no intervention was implemented

Group Type NO_INTERVENTION

No interventions assigned to this group

Interventions

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play therapy

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

Intervention Type BEHAVIORAL

Eligibility Criteria

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Inclusion Criteria

* \- Living in a children's home,
* Continuing education,
* Having no hearing or vision problems.
Minimum Eligible Age

10 Years

Maximum Eligible Age

18 Years

Eligible Sex

ALL

Accepts Healthy Volunteers

Yes

Sponsors

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Muş Alparslan University

OTHER

Sponsor Role lead

Responsible Party

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Fatih Sahin

principal investigator

Responsibility Role PRINCIPAL_INVESTIGATOR

Locations

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Aile Ve Sosyal Hizmetler Il Müdürlüğü

Muş, Merkez, Turkey (Türkiye)

Site Status

Countries

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Turkey (Türkiye)

Other Identifiers

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134665

Identifier Type: -

Identifier Source: org_study_id

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