Transactions on Data Analysis in Social Science

Transactions on Data Analysis in Social Science

A Comparative Study on the Effectiveness of Storytelling-Based Positive Self-Talk Training and Child-Centered Mindfulness on the Psychological Well-Being of Children with Cancer

Document Type : Original Article

Authors
M. S. Doostdar Toosi 1
S. H. Mirzaei 2
A. Iranmanesh 3
1 Ph.D. Candidate in Counseling, Mashhad Branch, Islamic Azad University, Mashhad, Iran
2 Ph.D. in Psychology, Assistant Professor, Bojnourd Branch, Islamic Azad University, Bojnourd, Iran
3 Ph.D., Associate Professor, Department of Mathematics and Statistics, Mashhad Branch, Islamic Azad University, Mashhad, Iran
10.47176/TDASS.2024.59
Abstract
This study aimed to examine the effectiveness of storytelling-based positive self-talk training and child-centered mindfulness on the psychological well-being of children with cancer. The research employed a quasi-experimental pre-test, post-test, and follow-up design with two experimental groups and one control group. The statistical population included all children aged 8 to 12 diagnosed with various types of cancer and receiving treatment at Bu-Ali Sina Hospital in Sari between 2021 and June 2022. Sixty children were selected using purposive sampling based on inclusion and exclusion criteria and were randomly assigned to three groups of 20 participants each. The first experimental group underwent 10 sessions of storytelling-based positive self-talk training, while the second received 10 sessions of child-centered mindfulness training. The control group did not receive any intervention. Psychological well-being was assessed using the Children's Psychological Well-Being Questionnaire (Abedi et al., 2016). Data were analyzed using ANOVA and Bonferroni post hoc tests in SPSS-25. The findings revealed that both training methods significantly improved the psychological well-being of children with cancer, with effects sustained at a two-month follow-up. Furthermore, storytelling-based positive self-talk was found to be more effective than child-centered mindfulness. In conclusion, both approaches are effective in enhancing psychological well-being among pediatric cancer patients, although storytelling-based training demonstrated superior outcomes.
Keywords
Psychological Well-Being
Child-Centered Mindfulness
Storytelling-Based Positive Self-Talk
Children With Cancer
  • AlaeiFard, N., Ahadi, H., Mehrvarz, A., Jomehri, F., & Dolatabadi, S. (2021). Comparison of the effectiveness of play therapy and story therapy on depression and separation anxiety in children with leukemia. Medical Journal of Mashhad University of Medical Sciences, 64(4), 3796–3808. https://doi.org/10.22038/mjms.2021.20198
  • Sadeghi, Z., Mikaeili, N., & Atadokht, A. (2021). Effectiveness of laughter therapy on anxiety and hopelessness of children with cancer. Iranian Journal of Cancer Care (IJCA), 2(2), 45–53. Retrieved from http://ijca.ir/article-1-138-en.html
  • Tahmasabi, Z., Roshanzadeh, M., & Tajabadi, A. (2023). The effect of art therapy on the fatigue of children with cancer undergoing chemotherapy: painting method. Paish, 22(2), 215–221. https://sid.ir/paper/1037858/fa
  • Steliarova‑Foucher, E., Colombet, M., Ries, L. A. G., Moreno, F., Dolya, A., Bray, F., … & Forman, D. (2017). International incidence of childhood cancer, 2001–2010: A population‑based registry study. The Lancet Oncology, 18(6), 719–731. https://doi.org/10.1016/S1470-2045(17)30186-9
  • Khademi, A., & Tasbihsazan Mashhad, R. (2019). The effectiveness of acceptance and commitment therapy (ACT) on psychological well‑being and happiness of mothers of children with cancer. Iranian Journal of Pediatric Nursing (JPEN), 5(4), 71–78. https://doi.org/10.21859/jpen-05049
  • Su, L., Pan, L., Wen, J., & Phau, I. (2022). Effects of tourism experiences on tourists’ subjective well‑being through recollection and storytelling. Journal of Vacation Marketing. https://doi.org/10.1177/13567667221101414
  • Talebi, M., Ghasemzadeh, S., Arjmandi, K., & Vakili, S. (2022). Effectiveness of child‑centered play therapy on resiliency of children with leukemia cancer. JPEN, 8(3), 47–55. Retrieved from http://jpen.ir/article-1-460-en.html
  • Jones, A. S., LaLiberte, T., & Piescher, K. N. (2015). Defining and strengthening child well‑being in child protection. Children and Youth Services Review, 54, 57–70. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.childyouth.2015.05.001
  • Ghadampour, I., Amirian, L., Roshannia, S., & Adavi, H. (2018). The effect of mindfulness-based cognitive therapy on psychological well‑being and academic stress of first‑grade secondary students. Educational and School Studies, 8(2), 65–82.
  • Anderson, R., McKenzie, K., & Noone, S. (2024). Effects of a mindfulness-based stress reduction course on the psychological well-being of individuals with an intellectual disability. Learning Disability Practice, 27(5).
  • Bansal, A. (2021). Effect of mindfulness on aggression management in young adults. International Journal of Recent Advances in Multidisciplinary Topics, 2(11), 52–59.
  • Azimi, M., & Orand, S. (2020). The effectiveness of storytelling on children’s mental health. New Strategies in Psychology and Educational Sciences, (9), 72–83.
  • Shahtaheri, E., Jomehri (Jamhari), F., Niknam, M., & Rafieipour, A. (2021). Effectiveness of mindfulness‑based stress reduction program on anxiety and psychological well‑being of nulliparous pregnant women. Journal of Health Research in Society, 7(1), 46–56. https://doi.org/10.1001.1.24236772.1400.7.1.5.1
  • Khair, G., & Manshai, G. (2020). The effectiveness of child‑centered mindfulness therapy on pain self‑efficacy and pain anxiety in children with rheumatism. Research Quarterly of Health Psychology, 10(38), 85–100. https://doi.org/10.30473/hpj.2021.53523.4855
  • Akbarinia, M., Manshai, G., & Yousefian, S. (2019). The effectiveness of child‑centered mindfulness therapy on depression and anxiety after drug therapy in children with cancer. Journal of Psychological Sciences, 18(76), 431–439. https://doi.org/10.22059/jpss.2019.271
  • Kroska, E. B., Miller, M. L., Roche, A., Kroska, S. K., & O’Hara, M. W. (2018). Effects of traumatic experiences on obsessive‑compulsive and internalizing symptoms: The role of avoidance and mindfulness. Journal of Affective Disorders, 225, 326–336. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.jad.2017.08.039
  • Abedi, A. (2011). Challenges and strategies for effective evaluation of social programs. Journal of Research, 3(2), 139–155.
  • Borba, M. (2005). The step‑by‑step plan to building moral intelligence. In Nurturing Kids’ Hearts & Souls (pp. 108–154). Jossey‑Bass.
  • Frank, A. W. (2014). Narrative ethics as dialogical storytelling. Hastings Center Report, 44(1), 16–20. https://doi.org/10.1002/hast.293
  • Menshii, G., & Qumrani, A. (2019). The effect of mindfulness therapy on tolerance of uncertainty and thought–action fusion in patients with obsessive–compulsive disorder. Quarterly Journal of Child Mental Health, 6(1), 83–94. https://doi.org/10.29252/jcmh.6.1.8
  • Hosseini, S. S., Ahadi, M., Hatami, M., & Khalatbari, J. (2021). Comparing the effectiveness of mindfulness‑based therapy and acceptance and commitment therapy on resilience, psychological well‑being, and blood sugar levels in patients with type 2 diabetes. Iranian Journal of Psychiatric Nursing, 9(1), 89–102. Retrieved from https://ijpn.ir/browse.php?a_id=1773&sid=1&slc_lang=en
  • Ghasemian, K., & Estahbanati, M. A. E. (2019). The effectiveness of storytelling on reducing depression in cancer patients. Humanidades & Inovação, 6(9), 278–284.
  • Bayat, F., Rezaei, A. M., & Behnam Behnaz. (2018). Comparison of the effectiveness of play therapy and storytelling on the improvement of symptoms of attention deficit/hyperactivity disorder in students. Journal of Qom University of Medical Sciences, 12(8), 59–68. https://doi.org/10.29252/qums.12.8.59
Transactions on Data Analysis in Social Science
Volume 6, Issue 1
Winter 2024
Pages 59-67

  • Receive Date 15 January 2024
  • Revise Date 28 February 2024
  • Accept Date 21 March 2024