BMC psychology
From trauma to words: the effect of bibliotherapy on psychological flexibility and language skills in children affected by an earthquake
By Doyumgaç İ, Akyüz AN, Söner O and 1 others.
Abstract
Purpose
The 6 February 2023 Kahramanmaraş earthquakes caused widespread devastation across 11 provinces in southeastern Türkiye, resulting in profound psychosocial consequences for children, including increased emotional avoidance and difficulties in self-expression. This study aimed to examine changes in psychological flexibility and language-related outcomes (listening, speaking, reading comprehension, and writing) associated with participation in a bibliotherapy-based intervention among children affected by the earthquakes.
Methods
The study employed a quasi-experimental pretest-posttest control group design. Participants were middle school students residing in the earthquake-affected region. The experimental group participated in a 12-week multicomponent ACT-based bibliotherapy program, whereas the control group continued with the regular educational curriculum. The intervention was structured around Russ Harris's The Reality Slap and incorporated guided reading, metaphor-based activities, mindfulness practices, reflective writing, and group discussions. Each session involved structured reading of designated chapters and page ranges aligned with the thematic focus and targeted ACT processes. Psychological flexibility and four language-related outcomes-listening, speaking, reading comprehension, and writing-were assessed at pretest and posttest.