Sharmin Nasrin

This study aimed to examine the effectiveness of play therapy in improving sensory processing and distress tolerance in adolescents with mild intellectual disabilities. A randomized controlled trial was conducted with 30 adolescents aged 12 to 17 years, randomly assigned to either an intervention group (n = 15) receiving eight 90-minute sessions of play therapy or a control group (n = 15) receiving no intervention. Sensory processing and distress tolerance were assessed at baseline, post-intervention, and five-month follow-up using standardized measures. Data analysis was performed using repeated-measures analysis of variance (ANOVA) and Bonferroni post-hoc tests in SPSS-27 to evaluate within-group and between-group differences over time. The results indicated a significant main effect of time for both sensory processing (F(2, 84) = 92.32, p < 0.001) and distress tolerance (F(2, 84) = 111.60, p < 0.001), demonstrating substantial improvements across timepoints. The intervention group showed a notable increase in sensory processing scores from baseline (M = 48.72, SD = 5.91) to post-intervention (M = 64.15, SD = 6.38) and follow-up (M = 69.03, SD = 5.79), whereas the control group exhibited minimal change. Similarly, distress tolerance scores improved significantly in the intervention group (baseline: M = 42.85, SD = 6.27; post-intervention: M = 58.74, SD = 5.69; follow-up: M = 63.92, SD = 6.08), with no substantial improvement in the control group. The Bonferroni post-hoc test confirmed significant pairwise differences between baseline and subsequent assessments. Play therapy was found to be an effective intervention for enhancing sensory processing and distress tolerance in adolescents with mild intellectual disabilities, with improvements sustained at follow-up. These findings suggest that play-based interventions can be a valuable therapeutic approach for promoting sensory integration and emotional regulation in this population.

Objective: This study aimed to explore how narrative reframing functions as a coping and meaning-making mechanism among Taiwanese families experiencing trauma. Methods and Materials: A qualitative research design was adopted using purposive sampling to recruit 26 participants from Taiwan who had directly experienced family trauma, including bereavement, illness, or sudden life disruptions. Semi-structured interviews were conducted until theoretical saturation was reached. Each interview lasted 60–90 minutes, was audio-recorded, and transcribed verbatim. Data were analyzed using thematic analysis facilitated by NVivo 14 software. An inductive coding approach was applied to identify open codes, subcategories, and overarching themes, with constant comparison used to refine findings. Research rigor was ensured through reflexive memo-writing, triangulation of coding among team members, and maintaining an audit trail. Findings: Analysis yielded three overarching themes: (1) Emotional reconstruction through narrative reframing, where participants processed trauma-related emotions, reduced guilt and shame, regulated distress, and cultivated hope; (2) Relational transformation within the family system, including improved communication, redefined roles, conflict resolution, trust rebuilding, and strengthened intergenerational understanding; and (3) Identity and future orientation, where families reframed themselves as survivors, emphasized personal growth, redefined goals and values, and expressed aspirations to transmit resilience across generations. Participants highlighted that narrative reframing enabled them to transform suffering into continuity, strengthen bonds, and situate trauma within cultural and spiritual frameworks that emphasized endurance and meaning. Conclusion: The findings demonstrate that narrative reframing is a powerful coping process in families experiencing trauma, allowing for emotional healing, relational adaptation, and the construction of resilient family identities. This study underscores the importance of integrating narrative approaches into therapeutic interventions to support families in navigating trauma, rebuilding trust, and envisioning hopeful futures.