THE EFFECTIVENESS OF STORYTELLING ON REDUCING DEPRESSION IN CANCER PATIENTS

Khosrow Ghasemian; Mohammad  Amin Ehsani Estahbanati

Khosrow Ghasemian Shiraz University of Medical Science
Mohammad Amin Ehsani Estahbanati Shiraz University of Medical Science

Keywords: Reading story. Storytelling. Depression. Cancer. Children.

Abstract

This study was carried out aimed to investigate the effectiveness of storytelling in reducing the depression of cancer patients in 2018. The present study as a semi experimental research was carried out using a pre-test and post-test with control group. The research sample was selected using purposive sampling method among cancer patients in Fars province boarding centers in 2018. After screening, 30 patients with cancer (12 to 18 years old) were randomly assigned into two groups of experimental and control. Data collection tool was Beck's Depression Inventory. For the experimental group, 12 sessions of an hourly baccalaureate were held at a time interval of 6 weeks and two sessions each week. During the sessions, communication was established between the researcher and the children, using stories and presenting activities in the form of stories; opportunities and opportunities for engaging and activating the child's executive actions. 12 sessions of one-hour story therapy were held for the experimental group during 6 weeks and two sessions each week. During the sessions, opportunities for engaging and activating the child's executive actions were provided while communicating between the researcher and the children using the story and providing activities in the form of stories. Post-test was performed after the end of the storytelling period on two groups of experimental and control. According to the results of this study, the depression scores decreased in the post test in the experimental group. Therefore, the hypothesis of research based on the effectiveness of story therapy on the reduction of depression in patients with cancer is confirmed.

Author Biographies

Khosrow Ghasemian, Shiraz University of Medical Science

Shiraz University of Medical Science, Persian Language and Literature, Shiraz Paramedical School, Iran.

Mohammad Amin Ehsani Estahbanati, Shiraz University of Medical Science

Corresponding author, Shiraz University of Medical Science, Persian Language and Literature, Estahban Paramedical School, Iran.

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