Effectiveness of Virtual Filial Therapy for Mothers on the Social Skills and Aggression in Children with Learning Disabilities: A Randomized Clinical Trial

Abstract

Introduction: The purpose of the present study was to investigate the effect of virtual filial therapy fr mothers on the social skills and aggression in children with learning disabilities. Materials and Methods: The target population in this randomized controlled clinical trial was all the 6-11 years old children with learning disabilities in Esfahan city during 2018-2019. 30 children with learning disabilities were selected based on Wolcott learning disabilities screening test through convenient sampling and randomly divided into two groups of 15 subjects. In the pre-test and post-test stages, mothers completed the Novaco Anger Scale and Matson's Social Skills Questionnaire. Then, educational materials, including text, photos, and videos were provided weekly via social networks for the mothers in experimental group. The data were analyzed using univariate and multivariate analysis of covariance. Results: Virtual filial therapy significantly improved negative social skills (P=0.001) and its dimensions including non-social behavior (P=0.046), aggression and impulsive behavior (P=0.003), over self-confidence (P=0.013) and aggression variable (P=0.031) and aggressive thinking dimension (P=0.008), although its effects were not significant on positive social skills (P=0.734) and its dimensions including appropriate social behavior (P=0.515), communication with peers (P=0.515), decreasing aggressive behavior (P=0.059) and aggressive feeling (P=0.109). Conclusion: It seems that virtual filial therapy of mothers can be used to improve negative behaviors of children with learning disabilities.

Keywords

• virtual filial therapy
• aggression
• social skills
• learning disabilities