Child and Adolescent Cultural-Social Research

Child and Adolescent Cultural-Social Research

Investigating the Effectiveness of Parent-Child Interaction Therapy on Loneliness, Aggression, and Self-Efficacy in Children of Divorce

Document Type : Original Article

Authors
1 Assistant professor, Department of Psychology, Adib Mazandaran Institute of higher education ,Sari, Iran. (Corresponding Author) Email: fateme.dehroye@gmail.com
2 Master of Clinical Psychology, Department of Psychology, Sari branch, Islamic Azad University, Sari, Iran. Email:mohsenyleyla972@gmail.com
3 Assistant professor, Department of Psychology, Adib Mazandaran Institute of higher education ,Sari, Iran, Email:saeid.khosravi46@gmail.com
Abstract
Introduction: Divorce is one of the most common structural transformations of the family in recent decades, and research has shown that its psychological consequences for children can be extensive and long-lasting. Sudden changes in family structure, reduced emotional stability, deterioration in the quality of communication with one parent, and increased family conflict following divorce can affect children’s social and emotional development (Smith & Fong, 2021). Children of divorced parents often experience feelings of insecurity, confusion, and reduced trust in their surroundings, which may impair their functioning in important areas of life (Lee & Park, 2023). The family constitutes a fundamental institution of society and the primary context for the development and well-being of its members (Keshavarz Moallem, 2019). Various individual, social, emotional, and psychological factors can undermine the stability and cohesion of this long-standing and socially significant institution (Günay et al., 2019).
Methods: Given the topic and objectives of the research, this study was applied in terms of its purpose and quasi-experimental in terms of its research design. It employed a pretest–posttest design with a control group. The statistical population consisted of children of divorced parents aged 9–12 years who had active case files at welfare centers in Babol County in 2026. According to statistics obtained from these welfare centers, 743 children of divorced parents had case files and constituted the target population. The sample comprised 30 children who met the inclusion criteria and were selected using non-probability purposive sampling. Initially, the children were screened according to the inclusion and exclusion criteria. After obtaining parental consent and administering the pretest, eligible participants entered the study. They were then randomly assigned to experimental and control groups, with 15 participants in each group. A statistical power analysis was conducted using G*Power software to assess the adequacy of the sample size. The analysis indicated that a minimum sample of 30 participants was required to achieve adequate statistical power; therefore, the sample size was considered sufficient for the planned analyses. Inclusion criteria were being a child of divorced parents, residing in Babol, being 9–12 years old, having at least one parent able to participate in the treatment sessions, and having no physical or psychiatric condition that would prevent participation. Exclusion criteria included a history of mental illness in the child, unwillingness to continue participation, absence from more than two treatment sessions, concurrent initiation of medication or other psychotherapy, failure to complete the questionnaires, or withdrawal of parental consent. Data were collected using questionnaires.
Findings: The results indicated a statistically significant difference between the experimental and control groups in posttest loneliness scores (F = 390.83, p < 0.001), confirming the first research hypothesis and indicating that parent–child interaction therapy significantly reduced loneliness among children of divorced parents. The results for aggression and its components also indicated a statistically significant difference between the two groups (p < 0.05), supporting the second hypothesis and suggesting that parent–child interaction therapy was effective in reducing aggression and its components. Similarly, the findings supported the third hypothesis, indicating a significant effect of parent–child interaction therapy on self-efficacy and its components among children of divorced parents. Overall, the findings suggest that the intervention was associated with reduced loneliness and aggression and improved self-efficacy in children of divorced parents.
Conclusion: Children of divorced parents may experience feelings of instability and reduced control over their circumstances as a result of changes in family structure. Parent–child interaction therapy may help address these difficulties by creating greater predictability, structure, and positive communication between parents and children, thereby helping children perceive their environment as more understandable and controllable. An enhanced sense of control may strengthen children’s beliefs in their ability to cope with difficulties and adapt to changing circumstances. Moreover, the intervention teaches parents to foster age-appropriate independence and provide opportunities for children to engage in independent activities. Successful experiences in such activities can provide children with evidence of their abilities and gradually strengthen their self-efficacy. Thus, the effect of parent–child interaction therapy on self-efficacy may be mediated by a supportive parent–child relationship, opportunities for successful experiences, increased independence, positive feedback, and more adaptive perceptions of personal abilities. By providing a safe and supportive environment, the intervention may help children develop a stronger sense of competence, self-worth, and confidence following parental divorce.
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Subjects

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