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The Effect of Storytelling on Anxiety Level of Children With Cancer: One-Group Pretest-Posttest Study
1Pediatric Infectious Disease Department, Mersin University Hospital, Mersin, Türkiye.
Insights
Storytelling significantly reduced anxiety in children with cancer. This intervention helps young patients cope with hospitalization and treatment, improving their emotional well-being.
Area of Science:
- Pediatric Oncology
- Child Psychology
- Expressive Arts Therapy
Background:
- Children diagnosed with cancer experience significant anxiety during hospitalization.
- Effective interventions are needed to manage psychological distress in pediatric cancer patients.
Purpose of the Study:
- To evaluate the impact of a storytelling intervention on anxiety levels in children with cancer.
- To assess the effectiveness of a specific narrative, 'A Hopeful Cloud Story', in mitigating fear.
Main Methods:
- A one-group pretest-posttest design was employed.
- 39 children (aged 4-10) with cancer participated.
- The Child Fear Scale (CFS) measured anxiety before and after a 2-day storytelling intervention.
Main Results:
- Children's anxiety scores, measured by the CFS, significantly decreased post-intervention (p < .001).
- Both child self-reports and parent/researcher observations indicated a reduction in anxiety.
- The mean CFS score dropped from 3.54 (pretest) to 1.33 (posttest).
Conclusions:
- Storytelling is an effective method for reducing anxiety in children undergoing cancer treatment.
- Integrating narrative interventions into pediatric cancer care can support patients' emotional adjustment.
- The 'A Hopeful Cloud Story' intervention shows promise for improving coping mechanisms in hospitalized children.
Abstract:
BackgroundThis one-group pretest-posttest experimental research was conducted to determine the effect of storytelling on the anxiety levels of children diagnosed with cancer.MethodChildren aged 4-10 years and their parents in the pediatric hematology-oncology service of a university hospital were included in the study (N = 39). A 2-day storytelling intervention with the A Hopeful Cloud Story book to help children express their anxieties and cope with the changes caused by hospitalization for cancer treatment was applied to children. The Child Fear Scale (CFS) was used to evaluate the anxiety levels of children before and after the intervention.ResultsThe average age of the children was M (SD) = 6.54 (2.11) years, and most were male (56.4%). According to the children's reports, the CFS pretest mean score was M (SD) = 3.54 (0.55), and the posttest mean score was M (SD) = 1.33 (0.48). In the posttest, it was determined that the children's CFS scores decreased (p < .001). According to parent and researcher reports, a significant decrease was observed in the children's CFS scores after the intervention.DiscussionAs a result, the storytelling intervention is effective in reducing children's anxiety levels. It would be helpful to use a storytelling intervention in the treatment and care processes of children with cancer.
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