The Effect of Psychodrama-Based Group Work

NCT07305571 | Completed

• 1 other identifier: MERVE-RCT-2025-PAD
• Study Type: interventional
• Target: 23
• Locations: 1 country
• Sites: 1

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.

Conditions

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

Keywords

depression; forgiveness; psychodrama; puerperal; psychiatric nursing

Outcome Measures

Primary Outcomes (1)

• Postpartum Depression Screening Scale

  Evaluation of the change in the total score of the Postpartum Depression Screening Scale. The minimum score obtained from the scale was 35, and the maximum score was 175. Higher scores indicate higher levels of postpartum depression.

  Baseline (pretest), 8 weeks (posttest) and one month after the posttest

Secondary Outcomes (1)

• The Forgiveness Scale

  Baseline (pretest), 8 weeks (posttest) and one month after the posttest

Study Arms (2)

psychodrama-based group intervention

EXPERIMENTAL

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

Other: psychodrama-based group intervention; Other: Control

Control

NO INTERVENTION

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

Interventions

psychodrama-based group intervention 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).

psychodrama-based group intervention

Control OTHER

no intervention was performed in the control group

psychodrama-based group intervention

Eligibility Criteria

• Age: 18 Years - 55 Years
• Sex: female
• Healthy Volunteers: No
• Age Groups: Adult (18-64)

You may qualify if:

• 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.

You may not qualify if:

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

Sponsors & Collaborators

• Ömer USLU: lead

Study Sites (1)

Bergama Necla Mithat Öztüre State Hospital

Izmir, Bergama, 35700, Turkey (Türkiye)

Location

Related Links

• Bergama Necla Mithat Öztüre State Hospital

MeSH Terms

Conditions

Depression, Postpartum; Depression

Condition Hierarchy (Ancestors)

Puerperal Disorders; Pregnancy Complications; Female Urogenital Diseases and Pregnancy Complications; Urogenital Diseases; Depressive Disorder; Mood Disorders; Mental Disorders; Behavioral Symptoms; Behavior

Study Officials

• Merve Şahin, PhD, RN

  Bergama Necla Mithat Öztüre State Hospital

  PRINCIPAL INVESTIGATOR

Study Design

• Study Type: interventional
• Phase: not applicable
• Allocation: RANDOMIZED
• Masking: NONE
• Purpose: TREATMENT
• Intervention Model: PARALLEL
• Sponsor Type: OTHER
• Responsible Party: SPONSOR INVESTIGATOR
• PI Title: Dr. Ömer Uslu, PhD - Principal Investigator

Model Details: This study used a pretest-posttest-follow-up randomised controlled experimental method. Participants were randomly assigned to either the experimental group (psychodrama-based group intervention) or the control group with no intervention.

Study Record Dates

• First Submitted: December 13, 2025
• First Posted: December 26, 2025
• Study Start: April 2, 2025
• Primary Completion: June 29, 2025
• Study Completion: June 30, 2025
• Last Updated: January 6, 2026

Record last verified: 2026-01

Data Sharing

• IPD Sharing: Will not share

Locations

TU (1)