Effectiveness of Structured Storytelling on Social Skills and Social Adaptation in Hospitalized Children with Chronic Illnesses: A Quasi-Experimental Study

Background Children with chronic illness frequently experience challenges in social adaptation due to prolonged hospitalization, pain, and reduced opportunities for peer interaction. Storytelling has been introduced as a psychosocial intervention that may enhance social skills through emotional engagement, modeling, and symbolic problem-solving. The present study aimed to evaluate the effectiveness of a structured storytelling program on improving social skills in hospitalized children with chronic disease. Methods This quasi-experimental study included 60 hospitalized children with chronic illness aged 6–10 years in Behbahan, Khuzestan, Iran. Participants were randomly assigned to the intervention (n = 30) or control (n = 30) group. The intervention group received eight 45-minute storytelling sessions over four consecutive days alongside routine care; the control group received routine care only. Social skills were assessed using the Social Skills Rating System (SSRS) and social adaptation by Dokhanchi’s Child Social Adaptation Scale before and after the intervention. Data were analyzed using appropriate statistical tests to compare total and subscale scores between groups. Results Post-intervention, the storytelling group demonstrated significant improvements in self-adaptation (p = 0.001), family adaptation and peer adaptation (p < 0.001) compared with controls. The total SSRS score increased significantly in the intervention group compared to the control group (p < 0.001). Subscale analysis revealed the greatest improvements in assertion and cooperation, followed by responsibility, while self-control showed the smallest but still significant increase (p = 0.041). No significant changes were observed in the control group. Conclusion Structured storytelling is a low-cost, non-pharmacological, culturally appropriate intervention that enhances social adaptation and social skills particularly assertion, cooperation, and responsibility among hospitalized children with chronic illnesses. Integrating storytelling into pediatric care may reduce psychosocial burdens and support social growth. Longer-term interventions are recommended for sustained outcomes.