The Effectiveness of a Systemic Therapy–Based Intervention on Reducing Anxiety and Increasing Hope in Life among Patients with Thalassemia
Keywords:
Thalassemia, Systemic Therapy, Anxiety, Hope in Life, Family TherapyAbstract
Objective: This study aimed to examine the effectiveness of a systemic therapy–based intervention in reducing anxiety and increasing hope in life among patients with thalassemia.
Methodology: This applied study used a quasi-experimental pretest–posttest design with a control group and a follow-up phase. The population consisted of patients with thalassemia aged 10–30 years in Zahedan, from whom 30 participants were purposively selected and randomly assigned to experimental and control groups. The experimental group participated in eight group sessions of systemic therapy with family involvement. Anxiety and hope were assessed using standardized questionnaires, and data were analyzed using analysis of covariance and repeated-measures ANOVA.
Findings: Analysis of covariance indicated a significant reduction in anxiety (F=10.527, p=0.003) and a significant increase in hope in life (F=35.293, p<0.001) in the experimental group compared to the control group. Repeated-measures ANOVA revealed significant time and time×group interaction effects for both variables (p<0.05), and Bonferroni post hoc tests confirmed the stability of treatment effects at follow-up.
Conclusion: Systemic therapy–based intervention is an effective and sustainable approach for reducing anxiety and enhancing hope in life among patients with thalassemia.
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