Abstract
Developmental Psychodrama Therapy: Effect on Social Anxiety and Self-Esteem among Children who Stutter
Author(s): Jaklein Refaat Younis*, Safaa Ibrahem Shattla, Gehan Ahamed Abed, Hanaa Mohamed Abo Shereda, Shereen Mohamed Abo ElyzeedStuttering in children considers a common health problem associated with social anxiety and low self-esteem. Psychodrama therapy is approved as one of the most advanced management for many psychosocial health problems. Studies have shown that psychodrama therapy is highly effective in decreasing social anxiety and improving self-esteem among children who stutter. The purpose of the present study is to evaluate the effect of developmental psychodrama therapy on social anxiety and self-esteem among children who stutter. This quasi-experimental research study was conducted at the two governmental speech clinics in Menoufia governorate and Elgharbia governorate, Egypt. Using a convenience sampling method was used for enrolled 57 children aged 8-15 years with a stuttering disorder. Three tools were used for this study, 1-a structured interview questionnaire about characteristics of studied children. 2-A Standardized Social Anxiety scale for children 3-A self-esteem scale for children. The mean anxiety score and its symptoms among the children decreased considerably after intervention (35.2 6.09 vs. 67.45.90, P value=0.001). The results: the mean score of the children’s self-esteem and its dimensions significantly improved after psychodrama therapy (79.7 ± 2.59 vs. 56.4 ± 3.70, respectively; P value=0.001). Conclusion: Developmental psychodrama therapy has significant effect on social anxiety and self-esteem among children who stutter. It is greatly recommended to utilize developmental psychodrama therapy for children who stutter due to its beneficial effect in decreasing social anxiety and enhancing children's self - esteem.