Investigating the Effectiveness of "Combined Package" (Play Therapy and Story Therapy) on Bereavement and Depression Symptoms of 5-10-year-Old Children Suffering From Bereavement

Bereavement in children is a complex and difficult process that causes strong emotions in them. The present study was conducted to investigate the effectiveness of the "Combined Package" on bereavement and depression symptoms of 5-10-year-old children suffering from bereavement.

The current research was of a semi-experimental type of pre-test, post-test with control and follow-up groups. The statistical population of the present study included all bereaved children referred to psychological clinics in Isfahan city in 2020. 40 boys and girls aged 5 to 10 years with bereavement symptoms were selected based on purposeful and convenience sampling methods. Then they were randomly assigned to the "Combined Package" group (20 children) and the control group (20 children) by lottery. Research data collection was done with demographic questionnaires, "Grief Symptoms Questionnaire" and "Children's Depression Inventory". Content validity was done by qualitative method and reliability by internal consistency method by calculating Cronbach's alpha coefficient. Then, for the intervention group, 10 sessions of a 75-minute "Combined Package" (1 session per week) were conducted. No intervention was done for the control group. After the completion of the intervention, a post-test and follow-up was conducted 3 months later. Questionnaires of all three stages were completed by living parents or guardians or nurses of bereaved children. Data were analyzed in SPSS. 27.

There was a significant difference between the intervention group and the control group in the 2 variables of bereavement and depression symptoms in the post-test and follow-up stages. Therefore, the intervention was effective in reducing bereavement and depression symptoms in bereaved children (P < 0.05).

"Combined Package" (Play Therapy and Story Therapy) reduces bereavement and depression symptoms in bereaved children. It is suggested to use the above therapy method to reduce the psychological problems of bereaved children.