Abstract

The objective of current research was to compare the two storytelling approaches in reducing the aggressive behavior components in 6 to 8 years old boys living in orphanages in Rasht city from the viewpoint of caretakers and educators. Methodology: this research is an experimental research with a pre-test-post-test-follow-design and with one control group, in which 6 to 8 years of old boys (n=30) living in orphanages participated. Those obtained score 1 with SD of higher than mean in Shahim's aggression questionnaire were randomly divided into three groups (two experimental and one control group). The two experimental groups received 11 sessions of pure storytelling and storytelling combined with discussion, while the control group did not receive any intervention.  After completing the interventions and two months after the end of intervention, all three groups were tested to evaluate the effect of the independent variable on dependent variables, including physical aggression, reactive aggression (verbal-hyperactivity), and relational aggression. Data were analyzed using ANKOVA and ANOVA methods. Results: The results showed that the storytelling combined with discussion was more effective in reducing the aggression symptoms than the pure storytelling method. Conclusion: These results of research showed the applicability of storytelling and its structure in the education and treatment of children psychiatric problems.