Peer play psychotherapy (PPP)

Initiative Description: Approximately half of the sample consisted of children who were selected for and received twice-weekly peer play psychotherapy (PPP) and, at-times, other mental health services from clinicians (playgroup [PG] children). The other half of the sample consisted of better functioning non-playgroup (NPG) children from the same centers. With a therapist and three or four children, playgroups meet twice a week for approximately one hour each in a small room within the preschool center

Study Results:PlayGroup children’s behavioral problems and total symptomatology decreased significantly from Time 1 to Time 2. Higher dosage of PPP was linked with higher social competence and decreased behavioral problems.

Reference: Bekar, Ö., Shahmoon-Shanok, R., Steele, M., Levy, J., deFressine, L., Giuseppone, K., & Steele, H. (2017). Effectiveness of school-based mental health playgroups for diagnosable and at-risk preschool children. American Journal of Orthopsychiatry, 87(3), 304–316. https://doi.org/10.1037/ort0000173

Level of Evidence: Good