Developing the Identity-based Psychodrama Package and Comparing It With Psychodrama on Neuroticism

Most studies have focused only on the neuroticism superstructure and the reduction of its symptoms, while there is no comprehensive model on the treatment of neuroticism infrastructurally. This research aimed to develop an identity-based psychodrama package and compare the effect of this therapy with psychodrama on neuroticism.

This research consists of five studies. The first study was qualitative research with Attride-Stirling’s thematic analysis method. The research community in this stage for analyzing themes affecting identity achievement included all papers related to identity aspects. The second study was a qualitative content analysis based on an inductive approach through a semi-structured interview with neurotic individuals. The third study was a quantitative analysis, and an educational-therapeutic package was developed. The fourth study was of validation type with Lawshe’s method. The population in this stage included all specialized psychologists in identity issues. The last study was a quasi-experimental, pretest-posttest type with a control group and a follow-up period of 60 days. The population in this stage included all people referred to Pendar Nik Counseling Center in Najafabad City, Isfahan Province, Iran, in 2020. Finally, 60 people were selected and randomly assigned into 2 experimental groups and 1 control group. To collect data, the 5-factor inventory was used.

The first study’s results suggested 8 general themes, and with additional information in the second study, the identity-based psychodrama package was developed in the third study. The results of the fourth study indicated the validity of the package by the evaluators. The results of the previous study showed that the mean scores of neuroticism in the two experimental groups significantly differed from the control group scores. Besides, identity-based psychodrama was more effective in reducing neuroticism than psychodrama (P<0.001).

Compared with psychodrama, the identity-based psychodrama package is more effective in reducing neuroticism.