The Effect of Play Therapy Based on Axline Approach on the Social-Emotional Assets and Resilience of Preschool Children with Hearing Loss

Abstract

The current study aimed to explore the effect of play therapy based on the Axline approach on the social-emotional assets and resilience of preschool children with hearing loss. This study was quasi-experimental research of a single-subject type with baseline, intervention, and follow-up design. In this study, three preschool children with hearing loss participated and were selected using a convenient sampling method from a Rehabilitation Center in Isfahan city for mothers and children. First, the Social-Emotional Assets and Resilience ‌‌Scale was administered three times as baseline. It was found that there is relative stability in the scores. Then, the intervention was implemented in 8 sessions. Participants were evaluated once after each session and three weeks later; the same questionnaire was administered three times with two days in between as a follow-up step. Data were analyzed by visual analysis. The results showed that play therapy based on the Axline approach was effective and significant on social-emotional assets and resilience of preschool children with hearing loss. The Percentage of Non-over lapping Data (PND) was 100% for all three participants. There was also a significant effect of the intervention on the follow-up situation. Play therapy based on the Axline approach improved social-emotional assets and resilience in preschool children with hearing loss. Therefore, it is recommended that this type of play therapy be used to enhance social-emotional assets and resilience in other children with hearing loss.

Keywords

• children with hearing loss
• play therapy
• resilience
• social-emotional assets