The Effect of Psychodrama-Based Group Work

NCT ID: NCT07305571

Last Updated: 2025-12-26

Basic Information

• Recruitment Status: COMPLETED
• Clinical Phase: NA
• Total Enrollment: 23 participants
• Study Classification: INTERVENTIONAL
• Study Start Date: 2025-04-02
• Study Completion Date: 2025-06-30

Brief Summary

Aims This study examined the effect of psychodrama-based group work on postpartum women's tendencies toward depression and forgiveness.

Methods This study used a pretest-posttest-follow-up randomised controlled experimental method. The study sample consisted of 23 postpartum mothers (11 experimental and 12 control) whose babies were receiving treatment in the neonatal intensive care unit between April and June 2025. While psychodrama-based group intervention was applied to the experimental group, no intervention was performed in the control group. Data were collected using a personal information form, Postnatal Depression Screening Scale, and Forgiveness Scale.

Results In the study, it was found that the mean forgiveness scores in the final test and follow-up measurements of the postpartum women in the experimental group were statistically significantly higher compared to the control group (p<0.05). In the final test and follow-up measurements, the mean postpartum depression scores of the women in the experimental group were found to be statistically significantly lower than those of the mothers in the control group (p<0.05).

Conclusions Psychodrama-based group work increased forgiveness tendencies and reduced depression levels in postpartum women. In this regard, it is recommended that psychodrama sessions be conducted for postpartum women.

Detailed Description

The neonatal period is a critical stage of development in the first 28 days after birth, during which the baby adapts physiologically and biologically to the external environment. Owing to issues such as prematurity, low birth weight, congenital anomalies, and respiratory distress, some babies require advanced medical support, highlighting the vital importance of the Neonatal Intensive Care Unit (NICU) (Çavuşoğlu, 2019). During this process, mothers experience intense psychological stress due to factors such as uncertainty about the baby's health, limited physical contact, a highly technological environment, and the postponement of maternal roles, which leads to the emergence of negative emotions, such as guilt, inadequacy, hopelessness, helplessness, and anxiety, thereby making the postpartum period more emotionally fragile (Shetty et al., 2024). These negative emotions also weaken the psychological resilience of postpartum mothers and constitute a significant risk factor, especially for the development of postpartum depression (Deligiannidis et al., 2021; Kırıcı et al., 2024). Studies in the literature indicate that mothers experiencing postpartum depression negatively affect their breastfeeding behaviors, adaptation to the postpartum period, ability to cope with challenges, quality of life, and overall mental, physical, and social health (Curren et al., 2022; Demir and Taşpınar, 2022). The concept of forgiveness, which facilitates relief from pain and distress caused by intense negative emotions that intensify during the postpartum period, is defined as an important psychological component in overcoming depression, anxiety, relationship conflicts, and crises in a healthy manner (Worthington et al., 2016). Forgiveness has been reported to make a significant contribution, particularly in reducing depressive symptoms (Öz, 2022; Şahin and Demirkıran, 2023). Forgiveness has been shown to have positive effects in alleviating psychological distress, protecting and improving health, and has been found to be beneficial in the treatment of various mental disorders (Rasmussen et al., 2019; Şahin and Demirkıran, 2023). One such approach is psychodrama. Psychodrama has been used in the field of nursing since the 1960s and has found a place in clinical practice (Kamışlı et al., 2021; Şimşek et al., 2024). Psychodrama is an effective and important psychotherapy method in terms of increasing peer support, finding a model for identification, experiencing positive relationships, seeing different approaches to relationships, and experiencing different roles (Gümüş and Kaya, 2020; Kamışlı et al., 2021; Maya et al., 2025). An increase in the number of psychiatric nurses with knowledge and skills in psychodrama will add a scientific and artistic dimension to the field of nursing, creating a special level of advancement in the quality of care provided by nurses through interactions with people (Çam and Engin, 2014; Gümüş & Kaya, 2020; Kamışlı et al., 2021). In this context, considering the critical role of women in shaping the future of society, this study evaluated the effects of a psychodrama-based group intervention aimed at supporting the psychological well-being of mothers during the postpartum period, reducing depressive symptoms, and strengthening tendencies toward forgiveness.

Conditions

Psychiatric Nursing; Depression Disorder; Forgiveness; Puerperal Depression; Psychoeducation

Keywords

depression; forgiveness; psychodrama; puerperal; psychiatric nursing

Study Design

• Allocation Method: RANDOMIZED
• Intervention Model: PARALLEL
• Primary Study Purpose: TREATMENT
• Blinding Strategy: NONE

Study Groups

psychodrama-based group intervention

Participants will receive an 8-session psychodrama-based group intervention.

Group Type: EXPERIMENTAL

psychodrama-based group intervention

Intervention Type: OTHER

For postpartum mothers in the experimental group, a psychodrama-based group intervention was carried out face-to-face, with one session per week, each lasting 120 minutes, for a total of 8 sessions (over 8 weeks).

Control

Intervention Type: OTHER

no intervention was performed in the control group

Control

Throughout the study, the psychodrama-based group intervention was applied only to the experimental group, and no intervention was performed in the control group

Group Type: NO_INTERVENTION

No interventions assigned to this group

Interventions

psychodrama-based group intervention

For postpartum mothers in the experimental group, a psychodrama-based group intervention was carried out face-to-face, with one session per week, each lasting 120 minutes, for a total of 8 sessions (over 8 weeks).

Intervention Type: OTHER

Control

no intervention was performed in the control group

Intervention Type: OTHER

Eligibility Criteria

Inclusion Criteria

• Age between 18-55 years or (until menopause)
• Having the mental capacity and sufficient communication skills to follow the research instructions, being literate.
• Having an infant receiving treatment in the neonatal intensive care unit.

Exclusion Criteria

• Having a condition that impairs communication
• Having a diagnosed mental illness.

• Minimum Eligible Age: 18 Years
• Maximum Eligible Age: 55 Years
• Eligible Sex: FEMALE
• Accepts Healthy Volunteers: No

Sponsors

Ömer USLU

OTHER

Sponsor Role: lead

Responsible Party

Ömer USLU

Dr. Ömer Uslu, PhD - Principal Investigator

Responsibility Role: SPONSOR_INVESTIGATOR

Principal Investigators

Merve Şahin, PhD, RN

Role: PRINCIPAL_INVESTIGATOR

Bergama Necla Mithat Öztüre State Hospital

Locations

Bergama Necla Mithat Öztüre State Hospital

Izmir, Bergama, Turkey (Türkiye)

Countries

Turkey (Türkiye)

Other Identifiers

MERVE-RCT-2025-PAD

Identifier Type: -

Identifier Source: org_study_id