DESH BHAGAT UNIVERSITY

MANDI GOBINDGARH
THESIS PRESENTATION ON
A Study To Evaluate The Effectiveness Of Play
Therapy On Behavioural Problems Among Children
Between 10-15years Of Age Group At Selected
Schools in Ludhiana,Punjab

GUIDED BY
PRESENTED BY

PROF.(DR.) S. VICTOR DEVASHIRVADAM Ms SWAPNA

VIJAY GAVANDE
DIRECTOR, DEPARTMENT OF NURSING PhD SCHOLAR
DESH BHAGAT UNIVERSITY DESH
 BACKGROUND OF THE STUDY

Children are the valuable possession of parents and future

nation makers. A healthy child contributes to a healthy and
prosperous society. Since birth, a child passes through phases
of physical, mental, and social development until he achieves
adulthood. All these aspects of growth and development are
equally significant for the sound health of the child. Any
interference in mental or emotional development can cause
behavioral disorders in a child.
 BACKGROUND OF THE STUDY

Children often feel unhappy, anxious, fearful, and angry. They

may exhibit lack of concentration, forgetfulness,
impulsiveness, and difficulty in controlling emotions. They
may complain of various somatic problems like unexplained
headache, stomach ache, anorexia, and insomnia; may have
trouble in building friendships or dealing with people; and
may show aggressiveness. These indications are some
common cues that suggest that all is not well with the child
and the child needs [Link] parents, teachers, and other
adults are not sensitive to notice these subtle forms of
behavioral problems.
 NEED OF THE STUDY
 Children spent nearly 200 days each year in the school. So, the child
spends a large portion of each day, week in school. So it is the
primary responsibility of the school, not only to build up their
intellectual capacity and knowledge but also to develop their physical
and mental health. It has been observed that a larger number of
children suffer from behavioural problems at given time in India.

 Behavioral disorders usually first appear in the middle years of

primary school period, peaking between 8 and 15 years of age and
affect all aspects of children’s personal and social life . In the present
era, behavioral disorders in children and adolescents have grown
substantially. In the area of education, experts, scholars, teachers,
and educators encounter many students with emotional and
behavioral problems. Behavioral disorders largely affect children's
educational situation and social development to the extent that they
cannot properly go through the natural course of growth
 Regarding therapeutic interventions, to improve the
psychological status of children with behavioral disorders,
extensive efforts have been conducted and recorded in the
field of child psychotherapy. One of these interventions that
enjoys extensive research and theoretical background is
play therapy.

 Play has the power not only to aid in normal child

development but also to help alleviate emotional and
behavioral difficulties.

 Play Therapy encourages children to address and resolve

their own problems, children learn to communicate and
express their feelings, it helps them to bring about
modifications in their behaviour, and learn different ways of
relating to others.
PROBLEM STATEMENT

A Study To Evaluate The

Effectiveness Of Play Therapy On
Behavioural Problems Among
Children Between 10-15years Of
Age Group At Selected Schools in
Ludhiana,Punjab
 OBJECTIVES OF THE STUDY

1. To assess the behavioural problem of children between 10-15yrs before and after
play therapy in experimental group and control group.
2. To evaluate the effectiveness of play therapy in terms of behavioural problems in
children between 10-15yrs in the experimental group.
3. To determine the association between the pretest level of behavioural problem
among children between 10-15yr and selected socio demographic variable in the
experimental group.
4. To determine the association between the pretest level of behavioural problem
among children between 10-15yr and selected socio demographic variable in the
control group.
5. To determine the relationship between the different types of behavioural
problems in experimental group.
6. To determine the relationship between the different types of behavioural
problems in control group.
 HypOTHESIS
H1: There is a significant difference between the pretest and posttest score of
behavioural problem among children between 10-15years in the experimental group .
H2 : There is a significant difference in the post test score of behavioural problem
among children between 10-15years between the experimental group and control
group.
H3 : There is a significant association between the pretest level of behavioural problem
among children between 10-15years and selected socio demographic variables in the
experimental group.
 HypOTHESIS
H4 : There is a significant association between the pretest level of behavioural
problem among children between 10-15years and selected socio demographic variables
in the control group.
H5 : There is a significant relationship between the different types of behavioural
problems in experimental group.
H6 : There is a significant relationship between the different types of behavioural
problems in control group.
 Operational definition
[Link] : It is study the facts and then form an opinion
about something.

2. EFFECTIVENESS : It is the capability of producing the desired

result.

3. PLAY THERAPY : A form of counselling or psychotherapy in

which play is used as a means of helping children express or
communicate their feelings. In this study researcher involves self-
structured questionnaire tools in the therapy which includes
Child centered play therapy. It consists of 6 sessions of [Link]
6 consequtive days..
[Link] PROBLEM : Behavioral problems involve a
pattern of disruptive behaviors in children that last for at least 6
months and cause problems in school, at home and in social
situations. In this study ,researcher will deal with the study
Anxiety, Sociality problems, aggression and study problem as
measured by a Structured Questionnaire .

5. SCHOOL :It isthe place where children go to be educated. For

the present study, schools of govt. sector as well as private sector
will be selected for collecting the data. It includes [Link]. Senior
Secondary School, Ludhiana ,
[Link] International School,
[Link] Dr.R.C. Jain Innovative Public School ,
[Link]. Higher Secondary School ,Ludhiana, Punjab.
 Literature Review
The literature was reviewed relevant to
objectives of the study and has been organized
under following headings:
1. Literature and studies related to behavioural
problems.
2. Literature and studies related to play therapy.
3. Literature and studies related to effectiveness
of play therapy on behavioural problems.
 RESEARCH APPROACH

The research approach is the basic procedure for collection of

data in a particular research situation. In this study the research
approach selected was the Quantitative Evaluative Approach
which provides wide scope for the collection of data and
various techniques and tools will be used for the study. For
present study self structured questionnaire technique was used.
Research design for the present study is symbolically represented as ;

R: E : O1 X O2
C : O1 O2

Key Words: E – Experimental group

C - Control Group
O1 - Pretest Level Before administering Play Therapy
O2 - Post test Level After administering Play Therapy
X - Administering Play Therapy to Experimental Group
( 30 min. once a day for 6 consequtive days)
R : Randomisation
 VARIABLES UNDER STUDY

INDEPENDENT VARIABLES :
In this study Play Therapy is the Independent Variable.
DEPENDENT VARIABLES :
In this study selected Behavioural Problems is the Dependent
Variable.
 SETTING OF THE STUDY
Study was conducted in 4 different schools of Ludhiana, Punjab.

Study was conducted in Eastwood International school, Ludhiana,

Punjab. The school belongs to CBSE Board. The school gives
knowledge to 2500 students as it runs the classes from nursery to
class XII. In between age group 10-15 years ,the school have more
than 1300 students. School consists of sufficient no, of teachers as
well as one counsellor to provide counselling to the students.

Study was also conducted at Government Senior Secondary School ,

Ludhiana Punjab. The school belongs to PBSE. The school provides
the knowledge to more than 780 students as it runs the classes VI
to XII. In between age group 10-15 years the school have more than
350 students. School consists of sufficient no. of teachers that
provide proper guidance and counselling to the students.
Study was also conducted in Drishti Dr.R.C. Jain Innovative Public
School, Ludhiana, Punjab. The school belongs to CBSE. The school
provides the knowledge to more than 2500 students as it runs the
classes from nursery to class XII. In between age group 10-15
years ,the school have more than 1300 students. School consists of
sufficient no, of teachers as well as one counsellor to provide
counselling to the students.

Study was also conducted at Government Higher Secondary School ,

Narangwal, Ludhiana Punjab. The school belongs to PBSE. The
school provides the knowledge to more than 530 students as it runs
the classes VI to X. In between age group 10-15 years the school
have more than 250 students. School consists of sufficient no. of
teachers that provide proper guidance and counselling to the
students.
 POPULATION
A population is one group of individuals that has one or more characteristics in common and
that are of interest to the researcher “.
The population selected for the study is children in the age group between 10-15years.
TARGET POPULATION
In this study target population is all children between 10-15yrs of age group.
ACCESSIBLE POPULATION
In this study accessible population was all children between 10-15yr studying in selected
schools of Ludhiana Punjab. .
SAMPLE AND SAMPLING TECHNIQUE

SAMPLE
In present study. Sample belongs to children who were in
between 10-15years of age group studying in different schools of,
Ludhiana and those who fulfilled the inclusion criteria

Sampling technique used for this study will be simple random

sampling to select 250 children from the population.
CRITERIA FOR SAMPLE SELECTION

INCLUSION CRITERIA :
1. Children between 10-15 years of age irrespective of
gender.
2. Children between 10-15 years of age who can understand
English ,Hindi or Punjabi.
3. Children between 10-15 years of age who were willing to
participate.

EXCLUSION CRITERIA :
1. Children between 10-15 years of age who were not
available at the time of study.
[Link] between 10-15 years of age who had attended
any counselling sessions.
3. Children between 10-15 years of age who were on Rx for
any psychiatric illness.
DATA COLLECTION TOOLS AND TECHNIQUE
In this study the tool used was self structured questionnaire and
the technique used was Self Report Technique.

DEVELOPMENT OF TOOL
Structures questionnaire was prepared in two sections :

Section I : Socio demographic data

Section II: a) Items for anxiety
b) Items for social problem
c) Items for study problem
d) Items for aggression
 DATA COLLECTION PROCESS

Data are the observable and measurable facts that

provide information about phenomenon under study.
Permission was obtained from the selected schools
of Ludhiana for the study. 250 samples was selected
for the study. Prior informed written consent was
obtained from all the study samples before
commencing the study.
On the Day 1 participants were selected by
using the structured Questionnaire and from
the same day 30 min. of play therapy was
given for 6 (as 6 play therapy techniques
are adviced to children to control their
behavioural problems) consequtive days for
the children in the experimental group. On
the 15th day(15th day is selected as to notice
change in behaviour time is required)
posttest was conducted and assessed for
both the groups..
PLAN FOR DATA ANALYSIS
Data obtained will be analyzed in terms of
objectives and by using both descriptive and
inferential statistics in the following manner:.

Frequency and percentage distribution was used for

socio demographic variable.

Chi-square analysis to associate level of behavioural

problem and socio demographic data.

Paired & unpaired t-test was used to find the effect

of play therapy in terms of selected behavioural
problems.
 ORGANIZATION OF THE DATA:
Section 1: Description of sample subjects socio-demographic
characteristics.

Section 2: To assess the behavioral problem of children

between 10-15yrs before and after play therapy in
experimental group and control group.

Section 3: To evaluate the effectiveness of play therapy in

terms of behavioral problems in children between 10-15 years
in the experimental group.

Section 4: To determine the association between the pretest

level of behavioral problem among children between 10-15
years and selected socio demographic variable in the
experimental group.
Section 5: To determine the association between the
pretest level of behavioral problem among children
between 10-15 years and selected socio
demographic variable in the control group.

Section 6 : To determine the correlation between

the pretest level of anxiety, Sociality problems,
study problems , and level of aggression in the
control group.

Section 7 : To determine the correlation between

the pretest level of Anxiety, Sociality Problems,
Study problems, and level of aggression in the
experimental group.
 Section 1: Description of sample according
to socio-demographic characteristics.
Table 1: Distribution of sample according to
the Socio Demographic variables in the
Experimental and Control Group
N=250
FIGURE 4.1 Age distribution in experimental v/s
control group
FIGURE 4.1 Age distribution in experimental
v/s control group
FIGURE 4.3 Education levelDistribution in experimental v/s controlgroup
FIGURE 4.4: Type of religion in experimental v/s control group

52
56
60
38
50 40
40
20
30 15
16
20 13
0
10 Control
0
Experimental
0
Hindu Muslim Sikh Christian Any other

Experimental Control
FIGURE 4.7: Birth order distribution in experimental v/s
control group
FIGURE 4.8: Fathers Education Distribution in Experimental v/s Control
Group
60 57

49
50
43

40 38
33
30
30

20

10

0
Up to 12th Graduate Postgraduat
Experimental e
Control
FIGURE 4.9: Mother Education Distribution in Experimental v/s
Control Group

200
180
160
140
120
100
80 94
60
40
20
0

92

19
18 12
15

Up to 12th Graduate Postgraduate

Experimental Control
FIGURE 4.10: Fathers Occupation distribution in
experimental v/s control group

60
50
40
30
20
10
0

Control Group
Exp Group

Business Private Government None

Sector

Exp Group Control Group

FIGURE 4.11 : Mothers Occupation distribution in
experimental v/s control group
80
70 68
64
60
50
40
30 26 23
22
20 17 14 16
10
0
Business Private Sector Government None
Experimental Control
FIGURE 4.12 : Family Income distribution in
experimental v/s control group

100%

80%

60%

40%

20%

0%
<50000 50001-100000 100001-500000 >500000

Experimental Group Control Group

FIGURE 4.13 : Area of residence distribution in
experimental v/s control group
To assess the behavioual problem in children between 10-15 yrs
before and after play therapy in experimental and control group
 TABLE 2 Distribution of subject according to level of anxiety in
experimental and control group

Pretest v/s posttest level of anxiety in both the groups

Posttest
Control Group

Pretest

Posttest
Experimental Group

Pretets

0 10 20 30 40 50 60 70 80 90

Severe Anxiety Moderate Anxiety Mild Anxiety No anxiety

TABLE 3 Distribution of subject according to level of
study problem in experimental and control group
TABLE 4 Distribution of sample according to level of sociality problems in
experimental v/s control group
 TABLE 5 Distribution of subject according to level of aggression in
experimental and control group

Comparison of experimental group and control group pretest/s posttest

level of aggression
70

60

50

40

30

20

10

0
Pretets Posttest Pretest Posttest
Experimental Group Control Group

No aggression Mild aggression Moderate aggression Severe aggression

• Section3:To evaluate the effectiveness of play
therapy in terms of behavioral problems in
children between10-15 years in the
experimental group.

Table6: Comparison of Pretest level of anxiety,

Study problems, Sociality problems, Level of
aggression in Experimental v/s control group.
NS-Non Significant;**Significant at0.05 level of
significance
Table 7: Comparison of Posttest level of anxiety, Study
problems, Sociality problems ,Level of aggression in
Experimental v/s control group.

NS-Non Significant;**Significantat0.05
level of significance
 Table 8:Comparison of mean Pretest and posttest
Scores in Experimental Group N=125

**P value significant at 0.05 level of significance

 Table9 : Comparison of mean Pre test and posttest Scores in Control Group N=125

NS=Non significant
Table18:Relationship between different types of behavioural
problems in the experimental group
Table19:Relationship between different types of behavioural
problems in the control group
N=125
 Nursing Practice
 The present study explored that play therapy is effective reduce
behavioural problems among school children. It will be helpful to
practicing nurses to use it in clinical setting to reduce behavioural
problems among children.
 A nurse at clinical settings can identify the children who are at risk
of developing behavioural problems in later period of life.
 The school health nurse can organise a parents teachers association
meeting to create awareness about the behavioural problems of the
students and help them to adapt play therapy.
 Nursing Education
 The nursing students should be motivated to make up
innovative approaches to play therapy in school as
well as in different settings.
 School teachers should be made aware about the
importance of play therapy for school children and to
prepare scales (as assessment tools for assessing
behavioural problems.
 NURSING
ADMINISTRATION
 Inservice education programmes workshops can be conducted to
update the knowledge of school teachers and school health nurses
about play therapy and its effectiveness.
 Study findings will motivate the nursing administrator to provide
facility in clinical area for play therapy.
 Nurse administrator can prepare standard operating procedure and
self-instructional educational module regarding play therapy to be
used by nurses in clinical, community and school education.
 NURSING RESEARCH
 The study findings will provide a baseline data for conducting
other research studies
 Nurse researchers should challenge to perform scientific work,
take part in assesssment and identifying various behavioural
problems.
 Comparing Psychosocial adjustment with behavioural problems of
children, nurses and family care givers is essential for identifying
differences and planning approaches to minimize those differences.
 LIMITATIONS

 Due to COVID situation it was difficult to

recruit sample because of limited attendance of
the students in the schools.
 The report was based on self report hence the
investigator was not able to cross check their
self report.
 FUTURE IMPLICATIONS
 Similar studies can be conducted in larger samples incorporating diverse
cohorts.
 A similar study can be replicated on a large sample to generalize the findings.

 A longitudinal study can be done to find the long term effect of play therapy
on behavioural problems in different setting.
 Specific Planned teaching can be done to prevent behavioural problems
among school students.
 A similar study using a Cross over design can be done between 2 to 3 play
therapy to prevent behavioural problem.
 FOR FUTURE DISSEMINATION
A Pamplet will be prepared regarding play therapy
are the ways to overcome the behavioural
problems of children will be included in the
pamphlet.

This pamphlet will be given and circulated to all the

schools and the school health nurses will be
teaching it to the teachers as well as to the
students there by overcoming the behavioural
problems.
 FOR FUTURE DISSEMINATION
The study findings will be disseminated by
debriefing to all the study participants after
the viva voce.

The participants of the control group was also

taught play therapy after the post test
assessment.
THANKYOU