Investigating the Effectiveness of Modifying the Parent-Child Interaction Pattern Based on Filial Play Therapy on Internet Addiction, Sleep Quality, and Self-efficacy in 9-12-Year-Old Children.

Background: Despite all the positive features of the internet, the risk of addiction threatens users. Sleep disorders and the negative effects on self-efficacy are important risks of this technology. Accordingly, the present study aimed to investigate the effectiveness of modifying the parent-child interaction pattern based on play therapy (filial therapy) on internet addiction, sleep quality, and self-efficacy in 9-12-year-old children.

Methods: This quasi-experimental study was conducted using a pre-test-post-test design with a control group. The statistical population of the study consisted of all 3617 boys and girls aged 9-12 years studying in selected schools in Kerman, Iran (12 elementary schools) in the academic year 2020-2021. A total of 72 students were randomly selected from among the children who met the benchmark score of internet addiction and were not under medical and psychological treatment. The participants were divided into two experimental and control groups (36 students each). A demographic information questionnaire, the Internet Addiction Scale (YIAS), the Self-Efficacy Questionnaire for Children (SEQ-C), and the Pittsburgh Sleep Quality Index (PSQI) were used to collect data. Data were analyzed using SPSS software.

Findings: The mean scores of internet addiction in the pre-test and post-test were 86.67 and 86.23 in the control group and 88.14 and 75.14 in the experimental group, respectively, which showed a decrease in internet addiction. The scores of sleep quality in the pre-test and post-test were 1.81 and 1.78 in the control group and 1.75 and 0.5 in the experimental group, respectively. Moreover, the overall scores of self-efficacy in the pre-test and post-test were 63.64 and 63.94 in the control group and 62.08 and 81.75 in the experimental group, respectively. The results indicated an improvement in the overall quality of sleep and selfefficacy.

Conclusion: The results showed that the severity of internet addiction in children decreased after the treatment based on modifying the parent-child interaction, and this treatment was also effective on self-efficacy and sleep disorders.