The comparison of maternal reflective functioning treatment and schema therapy on separation anxiety, anxiety sensitivity and emotion regulation of preschool children

Articles in Press

Document Type : Original Article

Authors

1 Department of psychology, Faculty of psychology and educational sciences, University of Tabriz, Tabriz, Iran

2 Department of psychology, Faculty of educational sciences and psychology, University of Tabriz, Tabriz, Iran

Abstract

Introduction: This study was conducted to investigate the effectiveness and comparison of maternal reflective functioning treatment and schema therapy on separation anxiety, anxiety sensitivity and emotion regulation of preschool children.

Methods: The research method was quasi-experimental with pretest-posttest and control group with two-month follow-up. The population of this study consisted of all preschool children with separation anxiety in the Tabriz city in 2023. From this population, 45 children were selected by purposeful sampling and randomly assigned into two experimental groups (maternal reflective functioning, schema therapy) and one control group (15 individuals per group). According to the group they were in, the experimental groups received 9 sessions of maternal reflective functioning treatment or 8 sessions of schema therapy. The research tools included separation anxiety assessment scale-parent version, emotion regulation checklist and childhood anxiety sensitivity index. Data analysis was done using repeated measures analysis of variance.

Results: The findings showed that maternal reflective functioning treatment and schema therapy are effective in reducing the separation anxiety symptoms of preschool children compared to the control group. Also, the results showed that maternal reflective functioning treatment has been more effective than schema therapy in reducing anxiety sensitivity and emotion negativity.

Conclusion: Based on findings, it can be concluded that maternal reflective functioning treatment is an appropriate therapeutic approach in reducing anxiety symptoms and emotional problems of preschool children.

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Journal of Clinical Psychology

Articles in Press, Accepted Manuscript
Available Online from 18 August 2025

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History

  • Receive Date: 20 June 2024
  • Revise Date: 06 December 2024
  • Accept Date: 07 May 2025

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