Impact of Sandplay Therapy in Reducing Self-Handicapping Behaviors and Improving the Quality of Life in Children with Autism Spectrum Disorder (ASD)

This study aimed to examine the effectiveness of Sandplay Therapy in reducing self-handicapping behaviors and improving the quality of life in children with autism spectrum disorder (ASD). A randomized controlled trial was conducted with ۳۰ children diagnosed with ASD, who were randomly assigned to either the experimental group (n = ۱۵) receiving Sandplay Therapy or the control group (n = ۱۵) receiving no intervention. The intervention consisted of eight ۹۰-minute sessions conducted over eight weeks. Self-handicapping behaviors were measured using the Self-Handicapping Scale (SHS), and quality of life was assessed using the Pediatric Quality of Life Inventory (PedsQL), both of which demonstrated established validity and reliability. Assessments were conducted at pre-test, post-test, and five-month follow-up. Data were analyzed using repeated-measures ANOVA, with post-hoc comparisons conducted using the Bonferroni test. The results indicated a significant reduction in self-handicapping behaviors in the experimental group from pre-test (M = ۴۲.۸۵, SD = ۴.۳۱) to post-test (M = ۳۱.۷۶, SD = ۳.۷۶) and further at follow-up (M = ۲۹.۴۵, SD = ۳.۴۵), while no significant changes were observed in the control group. Similarly, quality of life improved significantly in the experimental group, with scores increasing from pre-test (M = ۵۲.۱۲, SD = ۵.۱۲) to post-test (M = ۶۳.۴۵, SD = ۴.۷۸) and follow-up (M = ۶۷.۳۲, SD = ۴.۵۰), whereas the control group remained stable. ANOVA results confirmed significant main effects of time and group, as well as a significant interaction effect (p < ۰.۰۵). Bonferroni post-hoc comparisons indicated that improvements were sustained at follow-up. Sandplay Therapy is an effective intervention for reducing self-handicapping behaviors and enhancing the quality of life in children with ASD, with sustained benefits observed at follow-up. These findings highlight the potential of nonverbal, expressive therapies in supporting emotional regulation and adaptive functioning in children with ASD. This study aimed to examine the effectiveness of Sandplay Therapy in reducing self-handicapping behaviors and improving the quality of life in children with autism spectrum disorder (ASD). A randomized controlled trial was conducted with ۳۰ children diagnosed with ASD, who were randomly assigned to either the experimental group (n = ۱۵) receiving Sandplay Therapy or the control group (n = ۱۵) receiving no intervention. The intervention consisted of eight ۹۰-minute sessions conducted over eight weeks. Self-handicapping behaviors were measured using the Self-Handicapping Scale (SHS), and quality of life was assessed using the Pediatric Quality of Life Inventory (PedsQL), both of which demonstrated established validity and reliability. Assessments were conducted at pre-test, post-test, and five-month follow-up. Data were analyzed using repeated-measures ANOVA, with post-hoc comparisons conducted using the Bonferroni test. The results indicated a significant reduction in self-handicapping behaviors in the experimental group from pre-test (M = ۴۲.۸۵, SD = ۴.۳۱) to post-test (M = ۳۱.۷۶, SD = ۳.۷۶) and further at follow-up (M = ۲۹.۴۵, SD = ۳.۴۵), while no significant changes were observed in the control group. Similarly, quality of life improved significantly in the experimental group, with scores increasing from pre-test (M = ۵۲.۱۲, SD = ۵.۱۲) to post-test (M = ۶۳.۴۵, SD = ۴.۷۸) and follow-up (M = ۶۷.۳۲, SD = ۴.۵۰), whereas the control group remained stable. ANOVA results confirmed significant main effects of time and group, as well as a significant interaction effect (p < ۰.۰۵). Bonferroni post-hoc comparisons indicated that improvements were sustained at follow-up. Sandplay Therapy is an effective intervention for reducing self-handicapping behaviors and enhancing the quality of life in children with ASD, with sustained benefits observed at follow-up. These findings highlight the potential of nonverbal, expressive therapies in supporting emotional regulation and adaptive functioning in children with ASD.

Keywords:

Sandplay Therapy , Autism Spectrum Disorder , Self-Handicapping , Quality of Life , Randomized Controlled Trial , Psychological Intervention