Using digital storytelling in Rational Emotive Behavior Therapy: comparison of two online interventions

ABSTRACT

Constant development of information technology in human lives has encouraged them to use technology in the field of educational sciences. This study aimed to investigate the effect of digital storytelling in online psychological services and its application using Rational Emotive Behavior Therapy (REBT) on reducing coronavirus anxiety and increase academic and social integration. The research design was based on quasi-experimental designs with pretest and posttest and follow-up with control group. The statistical population of the current study consisted of all undergraduate students in Tehran in 2020. For this purpose, 98 students were selected as the sample and randomly assigned into two experimental groups of digital storytelling and online psychology and a control group. The results showed that digital storytelling and online psychology groups have a significant effect on reducing coronavirus anxiety and increased academic and social integration. Comparison of the experimental groups showed that the digital storytelling group outperforms the online psychology group in reducing coronavirus anxiety and increased academic and social integration of students. According to the results of this study, it can be concluded that storytelling can be used in online psychological services and REBT is compatible with online psychology and digital storytelling.

KEYWORDS:

• Academic and social integration
• COVID-19 anxiety
• digital storytelling
• online psychology
• Rational Emotive Behavioral Therapy

Disclosure statement

No potential conflict of interest was reported by the author(s).

Correction Statement

This article has been republished with minor changes. These changes do not impact the academic content of the article.