Dissertations & Theses - Gradworks

Abstract:

Play therapy literature reveals a divergence of opinions around the inclusion of toy guns in therapy. Although numerous play therapists must make inclusion decisions, there is limited published research on the factors that therapists consider when making this choice. The purpose of this study was to determine the criteria play therapists utilize to determine inclusion or exclusion of toy guns in play therapy. A cross-sectional, self-administered survey, Criteria for Utilizing Toy Gun in Play Therapy Survey, was created to gain a better understanding of what factors contribute to play therapists' criteria when determining toy gun inclusion or exclusion. Members of the Association for Play Therapy were contacted via its member email list. All participants met the following criteria: (a) are members of APT, (b) hold a master's degree or higher; and (c) had utilized play therapy treatment with children within the last 5 years. Nearly a quarter of the potential respondents ( n = 1,268 or 24.7% of the sampling frame of 5,130 members) filled out the survey. Of the 1,268 respondents, 1,113 (21.7% of the sampling frame) completed the survey. The most frequently endorsed statement by participants was, "I sometimes utilize toy guns in play therapy" (n = 336; 28.5%). Ten ANOVAs were performed comparing the likelihood to use variable to the various characteristics of the play therapists in the sample. Significant differences in inclusion rates were found when comparing participant gender, age, region, setting of practice, theoretical orientation, registration status, and professional identity. The majority of participants identified the child's therapeutic needs as the most important factor influencing their decision (n = 686, 58.0%). Ethical concerns (n = 25, 2.12%) were the least influential factor. Play therapist participants' endorsements suggested that toy gun inclusion may be indicated when the child requests a gun, the child's caregiver is in the military, the child experienced violence in their home or community, and/or the caregivers have real guns in their home. Participant endorsements suggested that toy gun inclusion may be counterindicated when the caregivers object to toy guns, the child presents with low empathy, and/or the child has been diagnosed on the autism spectrum, with pervasive developmental disorder, conduct disorder, or obsessive compulsive disorder. These results suggest it may benefit the clinician to assess the client's history with guns, the client's age, stage of treatment, caregivers' opinions, and client's diagnosis prior to making an inclusion determination.