Effectiveness of a Therapeutic Program Based on Psychodrama in Reducing the Level of Anxiety and Depression for Children with Cancer

Abstract

This study aimed to identify the effect of the therapeutic program that is based on Psychodrama to reduce anxiety and depression among children with cancer. The study sample consisted of 18 boys and girls aged between 9-12 years. The sample was divided into two groups; the experimental group, which was comosed of (8) children, and the control group (10) children. The study used the following tools: Children Anxiety Scale, Children Depression Scale, The Porteous Maze Test of Intelligence. In addition, the therapeutic Psychodrama program was constructed by the researcher. Results found, after application of the program, statistical significant differences at the level (0.01-0.05) between the mean scores for the two groups (control and experimental) in anxiety and depression in favor of the experimental group, statistical significant differences at the level (0.01-0.05) between the mean scores (pre and post test) of Anxiety and Depression on the experimental group in favor of post test. The study also shows lack of statistical significant differences between the mean scores for both (male and female children) on Anxiety and Depression.