Participants
The participants in this study were 75 children from 7 to 13 years old
(M=10.27; SD=1.38; 68% female and 32% male), all of whom were
attending primary school and all of whom belonged to the Muslim
religion. Data was collected between April and December 2018.
Participants were chosen through purposive convenience sampling:
directors and counselors of education centers were responsible for
choosing the participants. Inclusion criteria were related to both age
and not having been previously diagnosed with any physical or
psychological diseases. Basic demographics were collected, including
gender, age, place of residence, education, and religious affiliation.
All participants and families provided verbal consent and assent and all
of the participants had the purpose of the research carefully explained
to them. They were free not to answer to any researcher’s questions, to
refuse to participate in any activity, or to withdraw at any moment. In
line with the principle of no survey without service , the
activities were structured with the help of local expert counsellors and
aimed at providing children with a non-judgmental and safe space through
which to express their emotions, ideas, and perspective in an active way
(Allden et al., 2009).