Effectiveness of Filial Therapy on Preschool Children’s Internalization and Externalization Symptoms with an Insecure Attachment Style During Coronavirus Disease 19 in Tehran District 10

Abstract

This study aimed to assess the impact of filial therapy on internalization and externalization symptoms among preschool children characterized by an insecure attachment style in Tehran District 10 during the coronavirus disease 19 pandemic. To achieve this goal, a pretest-posttest control group design was employed, supplemented by a follow-up phase. Using the convenience sampling method, 41 students were selected and randomly allocated to either an experimental group or a control group. The results were analyzed by the mixed ANOVA test. The findings revealed a decrease in internalization, externalization, and insecure attachment symptoms among children in the experimental group compared to those in the control group (p < .05).

Keywords:

• Externalization
• filial therapy
• insecure attachment style
• symptoms of internalization

Acknowledgments

We are highly grateful to Dr. Mazaheri, Dr. Mousavi, Dr. Zadeh Mohammadi, Ms. Roshni, and all the mothers and children who helped us in this research.

Disclosure statement

No potential conflict of interest was reported by the author(s).