A holistic approach to childhood trauma: assessing the role of Adlerian therapy in post-hospitalisation recovery

Background/Aim: The psychological well-being of children recovering from gastrointestinal illnesses, such as diarrhoea, is of paramount importance, particularly regarding trauma experienced during hospitalisation. This study addresses a significant gap in the literature by evaluating the efficacy of Adlerian therapy in mitigating post-hospitalisation psychological trauma among preschool children compared to play therapy. Methods: A quasi-experimental design with a control group was employed, involving 60 children aged 6-10 years hospitalised for severe diarrhoea. Participants were equally divided into intervention (Adlerian therapy) and control (play therapy) groups, receiving therapy over four weeks. Each session, lasting 90 to 120 minutes, focused on establishing a therapeutic alliance and addressing individual emotional dynamics utilising interactive methods, such as hand puppets and storybooks. Trauma levels were assessed using the Child and Adolescent Trauma Screen (CATS) at multiple time points. Results: Initial analyses revealed no significant differences in CATS scores between the groups (p = 0.452). However, the Adlerian therapy group exhibited a significant reduction in trauma symptoms, with a mean CATS score decline from 22.5 (SD = 5.2) to 15.0 (SD = 4.5), compared to a decrease in the control group from 23.1 (SD = 5.4) to 21.5 (SD = 5.2). The calculated effect size for the intervention group was Cohen's d = 1.47. Further analysis of domain-specific scores from the CATS revealed that the most pronounced improvements were in the areas of re-experiencing (Cohen's d = 1.84), negative alterations in cognition and mood (Cohen's d = 1.89) and arousal and reactivity (Cohen's d = 1.82) every week. Conclusion: Adlerian therapy effectively alleviated psychological trauma in preschool children following gastrointestinal illness. This approach is recommended for integration into clinical practice, emphasising the importance of tailored psychological interventions to support the mental health of children recovering from hospitalisation.