KMAN Publication Inc. (KMANPUB) KMAN Counseling & Psychology Nexus 3041-9026 In Press 2027 01 01 Determining the Effectiveness of Hypnotherapy in Reducing Loneliness and Grief Reactions among Individuals Bereaved by COVID-19 Determining the Effectiveness of Hypnotherapy in Reducing Loneliness and Grief Reactions among Individuals Bereaved by COVID-19 1 15 EN Journal Article 2026 07 23 <p>The present study aimed to determine the effectiveness of hypnotherapy in reducing loneliness and grief reactions among individuals bereaved by COVID-19. This quasi-experimental study employed a pre-test, post-test, and follow-up design with an experimental and a control group. The statistical population consisted of individuals bereaved by COVID-19 in 2021 who were referred through Bahman, Atiyeh, and Parsian hospitals in Tehran. Thirty eligible participants were selected through convenience sampling and randomly assigned to experimental and control groups, with 15 participants in each group. Data were collected using the UCLA Loneliness Scale and the Hogan Grief Reaction Checklist. The experimental group received eight weekly 90-minute hypnotherapy sessions, whereas the control group received no intervention during the study period. Data were analyzed using repeated-measures analysis of variance, Greenhouse-Geisser corrections where necessary, multivariate tests, and pairwise comparisons. Significant time × group interaction effects were observed for denial, F(1.135) = 43.290, p &lt; .001, partial η² = .607; panic behavior, F(1.286) = 21.45, p &lt; .001, partial η² = .434; personal growth, F(1.026) = 22.87, p &lt; .001, partial η² = .450; blame and anger, F(1.199) = 19.07, p &lt; .001, partial η² = .405; detachment, F(1.085) = 11.199, p = .002, partial η² = .286; and disorganization, F(1.036) = 11.526, p = .002, partial η² = .292. For loneliness, Wilks’ Lambda showed a significant time × group interaction, Λ = .424, F(2, 27) = 18.33, p &lt; .002, partial η² = .576. Pairwise comparisons showed significant post-test and follow-up improvements in all grief components and loneliness in the experimental group. Hypnotherapy appears to be an effective intervention for reducing maladaptive grief reactions and loneliness while enhancing personal growth among individuals bereaved by COVID-19, with treatment effects maintained at follow-up.</p> https://journals.kmanpub.com/index.php/psychnexus/article/download/6654/12340