The Effect of Storytelling on Anxiety Level of Children With Cancer: One-Group Pretest–Posttest Study

Abstract

Background

This one-group pretest–posttest experimental research was conducted to determine the effect of storytelling on the anxiety levels of children diagnosed with cancer.

Method

Children 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.

Results

The 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.

Discussion

As 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.