Group Play Therapy for Preadolescents: Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder of Natural Disaster Victims in Indonesia

Abstract

Background: This study was motivated by the failure of coping and adaptation to traumatic experiences that cause a wide, deep, and long-term snowball effect that may not be reversible. Objective: This study aims to test the effectiveness of the implementation of group play therapy in dealing with post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD) victims of natural disasters in three provinces in Indonesia. Materials and Methods: The study employed an explanatory mixed methods design. The procedures and steps taken in this study refer to the research and development cycle. The subjects and objects of the study were 106 male and 92 female preadolescent students of junior high school in three provinces in Indonesia. Results: Traumatic counselling through group play therapy techniques has the effect of reducing post-traumatic stress disorder on victims of the tsunami disaster in three provinces in Indonesia. The first study conducted in Lombok West Nusa Tenggara province obtained the results of the calculation of the value μ2 = 0.021 for the value of μ1> 0.05. The second study in Palu, Central Sulawesi Province obtained the results of the calculation of the value of μ2 = 0.018 for the value of μ1> 0.05, and the third study in Anyer, Banten province obtained the results of the calculation of the value of µ2 = 0.011 for the value of µ1 > 0.05. Conclusion: Teaching and practising the skills of traumatic counselling using using Group Play Therapy can handle PTSD victims of natural disasters that significantly change victims.