Determining the Effectiveness of Hypnotherapy in Reducing Loneliness and Grief Reactions among Individuals Bereaved by COVID-19

Saba Pajoohi Haji seyed Javadi; Alireza Aghayousefi; Hakimeh Aghaei; Seyed Mosa Tabatabaee

Authors

Saba Pajoohi Haji seyed Javadi Department of Psychology, Sha.C., Islamic Azad University, Shahrood, Iran Author https://orcid.org/0000-0002-3531-4793
Alireza Aghayousefi Department of Psychology, Payame Noor University, Qom, Iran Corresponding Author https://orcid.org/0000-0001-5579-7772
Hakimeh Aghaei Department of Psychology, Sha.C., Islamic Azad University, Shahrood, Iran Author https://orcid.org/0000-0002-9157-0441
Seyed Mosa Tabatabaee Department of Cognitive Science, Semnan University, Semnan, Iran Author https://orcid.org/0000-0002-9378-9770

Keywords:

Hypnotherapy, Loneliness, Grief Reactions, Bereavement, COVID, 19

Abstract

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 < .001, partial η² = .607; panic behavior, F(1.286) = 21.45, p < .001, partial η² = .434; personal growth, F(1.026) = 22.87, p < .001, partial η² = .450; blame and anger, F(1.199) = 19.07, p < .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 < .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.

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