The Effect of Attachment-Based Couples Therapy on Reducing Separation Anxiety Symptoms in Children

Objective: This study was designed to examine the impact of attachment-based couples therapy on reducing separation anxiety symptoms in children aged 6 to 9 years. Methods and Materials: The research employed a quasi-experimental method with a pre-test-post-test design and a control group. The statistical population consisted of children aged 6 to 9 years diagnosed with separation anxiety. Thirty children were selected through available sampling and randomly assigned to either the experimental or control group (15 participants in each group). The data collection tools included the Separation Anxiety Disorder Scale for Children (SAD-C), the Spence Children's Anxiety Scale (SCAS), and semi-structured interviews. The experimental group participated in ten sessions of attachment-based couples therapy, while the control group was placed on a waiting list. After the intervention and one month later, both questionnaires were re-administered to assess the effectiveness and durability of the treatment. The data were analyzed using analysis of covariance (ANCOVA) in SPSS. Findings: The results showed that after the implementation of attachment-based couples therapy, the level of separation anxiety in children in the experimental group significantly decreased, while no change was observed in the control group. Additionally, an analysis of various anxiety dimensions using the SCAS indicated significant reductions in social anxiety, separation anxiety, worry, phobia, and general anxiety in the experimental group. One-month follow-up results indicated a relative maintenance of the treatment effects in the experimental group, although no significant difference was found between the post-test and follow-up measurements. In contrast, the control group did not show significant changes over time. Conclusion: Attachment-based couples therapy, as an indirect and parent-focused intervention, can effectively reduce separation anxiety symptoms in children aged 6 to 9 years. Implementing ten sessions of attachment-based therapy for parents led to significant reductions not only in separation anxiety but also in other dimensions of children's general anxiety, with this effect remaining stable in the one-month follow-up evaluation.