Abstract:
The purpose of this research was to examine the effects of Child-centered group play therapy on disruptive behavior. The sample of study was 16 children who study in grade 4-6, aged 9-11 and non-clinical problem range. Participants were assigned into an experimental group and a waitlist control group with 8 participants in each. Participants in the experimental group attended a child-centered group play therapy. Those in the control group engaged in their normal classroom activities prior to attending the program after the research procedure was completed. Prior to, immediately, and 2-week follow-up assessment, participants responded to The Thai Youth Checklist base on CBCL (TYC). Data were then analyzed using descriptive statistics and Mixed-design ANOVA. Results of this study revealed that posttest and follow-up scores of experimental group were statistically significant lower than the pretest (p < .05). In addition, the TYC scores of experimental group at the posttest and follow-up score periods were significantly lower than those of the control group (p < .05). Therefore, the results of this study suggested that Child-centered group play therapy could effectively decrease childrens disruptive behavior. Health professionals and related personnel should benefit from the current fidings by applying the Child-centered group play therapy to decrease childrens disruptive behavior.