Examining the Impact of Fine Motor Skills on Emotional Processing and Selective Attention in Elementary School Students

Abstract

The aim of the current study was to examine the impact of fine motor skills on emotional processing and selective attention in elementary school students. This quasi-experimental research was a pre-test/post-test design with a control group. A total of 30 students with learning disabilities were selected through simple random sampling and allocated into experimental (15 students) and control (15 students) groups. The research instruments included the Baker et al. (2007) Emotional Processing Scale and the Stroop Color and Word Test (1935). Students in the experimental group participated in 14 sessions, each lasting 60 minutes, of a fine motor skills training program. The data obtained were analyzed using the covariance analysis method. The results showed that the training in fine motor skills had a positive and significant effect on the emotional processing and selective attention of elementary school students in Gonbad city. Therefore, it can be concluded that training in fine motor skills can improve emotional processing and selective attention in students.