The Effect of Psychodramatic Role-Playing on Postpartum Depression, Self-Efficacy, and Perceived Social Support

NCT07506759 | Completed

• 1 other identifier: Ü. Ü. Ebe Feyza KALE
• Study Type: interventional
• Target: 57
• Locations: 1 country
• Sites: 1

Brief Summary

This research was conducted to examine the effect of psychodramatic role-playing in childbirth preparation courses on postpartum depression, self-efficacy, and perception of social support. The study was conducted using a randomized controlled experimental design between October 31, 2025, and February 25, 2026. The study population consisted of pregnant women who applied to the Antenatal School of Zeynep Kamil Women and Children's Diseases Training and Research Hospital. The sample size was calculated as 57 pregnant women (control: 29, intervention: 28). While the control group received standard childbirth preparation education, the intervention group received standard childbirth preparation education as well as psychodramatic role-playing. The Demographic Information Form, General Self-Efficacy Scale, Multidimensional Perceived Social Support Scale, and Edinburgh Postnatal Depression Scale were used to collect research data. The study findings revealed no significant differences between the control and intervention groups in terms of sociodemographic and obstetric characteristics. Furthermore, no significant differences were found between the control and intervention groups in pre-test and post-test scores on the General Self-Efficacy Scale, Multidimensional Perceived Social Support Scale, and Edinburgh Postnatal Depression Scale.

Conditions

Postpartum Depression; Maternal Self-Efficacy; Perceived Social Support; Pregnancy

Keywords

Childbirth Preparation Education; Psychodramatic Role-Playing; Perceived Social Support; Pregnant Women; Maternal Self-Efficacy; Randomized Controlled Trial; Postpartum Depression

Outcome Measures

Primary Outcomes (1)

• Postpartum Depression

  Edinburgh Postpartum Depression Scale will be applied to examine the effect of home visits and prenatal education on postpartum depression. Edinburgh Postpartum Depression Scale (EPDS); EPDS is a 4-point Likert style self-report scale consisting of 10 items. PRES was adapted to Turkish by Engindeniz. In Engindeniz's validity and reliability study, this scale had an internal consistency coefficient of 0.79, a split-half reliability, a cut-off of 0.80 of 12/13, a sensitivity of 0.84, a specificity of 0.88, a positive predictive value of 0.69, and a negative predictive value of 0.94. The Edinburgh Postnatal Depression Scale is a 10-item self-report scale assessing the common symptoms of depression. Each item is scored on a 4 point scale (O-3), the minimum and maximum total score ranging from O-30, respec- tively. The highest score is 30 points. If it is less than 9 points, there is no risk for depression, if it is 13 and above, there is a high risk for depression.

  Postpartum week 1 and postpartum week 8

Secondary Outcomes (2)

• Maternal Self-Efficacy

  Postpartum week 1 and postpartum week 8

• Perceived Social Support

  Postpartum week 1 and postpartum week 8

Study Arms (2)

Psychodramatic Role-Playing Childbirth Education

EXPERIMENTAL

Participants in the intervention group received childbirth preparation education integrated with psychodramatic role-playing techniques. The sessions included interactive role-playing activities aimed at enhancing emotional expression, coping skills, self-efficacy, and perceived social support during pregnancy and the postpartum period.

Behavioral: Psychodramatic Role-Playing Childbirth Education

Standard Childbirth Education

ACTIVE COMPARATOR

Participants in the control group received the standard childbirth preparation education program routinely provided in the childbirth education classes without psychodramatic role-playing components.

Behavioral: Standard Childbirth Education

Interventions

Psychodramatic Role-Playing Childbirth Education BEHAVIORAL

Psychodramatic role-playing integrated into childbirth preparation education was administered to the intervention group. The program included structured educational sessions combined with interactive role-playing activities aimed at improving emotional expression, coping skills, maternal self-efficacy, and perceived social support during pregnancy and the postpartum period.

Psychodramatic Role-Playing Childbirth Education

Standard Childbirth Education BEHAVIORAL

The control group received the standard childbirth preparation education routinely provided in childbirth education classes without psychodramatic role-playing components.

Standard Childbirth Education

Eligibility Criteria

• Age: 18 Years+
• Sex: female
• Healthy Volunteers: Yes
• Age Groups: Adult (18-64), Older Adult (65+)

You may qualify if:

• Agree to participate in the study and be able to speak and understand Turkish,
• Be 18 years of age or older,
• Be at least literate,
• Be a primiparous pregnant woman,
• Be at least 32 weeks and no more than 36 weeks pregnant,
• Have no psychological disorders or chronic illnesses.

You may not qualify if:

• Being multiparous,
• Being less than 32 weeks pregnant,
• Being in the high-risk pregnancy category,
• Having received childbirth preparation training from another institution or individual,
• Not having completed the training program.

Sponsors & Collaborators

• Istanbul University - Cerrahpasa: lead
• Uskudar University: collaborator

Study Sites (1)

Zeynep Kamil Women and Children's Diseases Training and Research Hospital

Istanbul, 34668, Turkey (Türkiye)

Location

MeSH Terms

Conditions

Depression, Postpartum

Condition Hierarchy (Ancestors)

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

Study Design

• Study Type: interventional
• Phase: not applicable
• Allocation: RANDOMIZED
• Masking: NONE
• Masking Details: This study was conducted as an open-label trial due to the nature of the educational intervention, and blinding of participants and investigators was not feasible.
• Purpose: PREVENTION
• Intervention Model: PARALLEL
• Sponsor Type: OTHER
• Responsible Party: PRINCIPAL INVESTIGATOR
• PI Title: Associate Professor

Model Details: Participants were randomly assigned to intervention and control groups. The intervention group received childbirth preparation education integrated with psychodramatic role-playing, while the control group received standard childbirth preparation education.

Study Record Dates

• First Submitted: February 23, 2026
• First Posted: April 2, 2026
• Study Start: October 31, 2025
• Primary Completion: January 15, 2026
• Study Completion: January 15, 2026
• Last Updated: April 2, 2026

Record last verified: 2026-03

Data Sharing

• IPD Sharing: Will not share

Locations

TU (1)