The Effectiveness of Group Psychodrama on Life Satisfaction, Self-Compassion, and Positive Emotions in Depressed Patients

The objective of this study was to investigate the effectiveness of group psychodrama on improving life satisfaction, self-compassion, and positive affects in depressed patients. Given the complexity of depression and the need for multifaceted treatment approaches, this research aimed to provide empirical evidence on the efficacy of psychodrama as a therapeutic intervention. 

Methods and Materials: 

This study employed a randomized controlled trial design. The sample consisted of 30 depressed patients selected from a clinic in Tehran and randomly assigned to either the experimental group (n=15) receiving group psychodrama therapy or the control group (n=15) receiving no intervention. The intervention comprised ten 75-minute sessions conducted over five months. Data were collected using standardized tools: the Satisfaction with Life Scale (SWLS), Self-Compassion Scale (SCS), and Positive and Negative Affect Schedule (PANAS). Data analysis was performed using repeated measures ANOVA and Bonferroni post-hoc tests, with the software SPSS-27. 

The results indicated a significant improvement in life satisfaction, self-compassion, and positive affects among participants in the experimental group compared to the control group. Specifically, life satisfaction scores increased from a mean of 19.43 (SD=3.67) at pre-test to 26.89 (SD=3.21) at post-test and 25.73 (SD=3.45) at follow-up. Self-compassion scores rose from 18.24 (SD=2.98) to 24.13 (SD=2.67) at post-test and 23.35 (SD=2.89) at follow-up. Positive affect scores also showed a significant increase from 21.57 (SD=3.11) to 28.74 (SD=3.01) at post-test and 27.89 (SD=3.19) at follow-up. The ANOVA results confirmed significant effects for group, time, and the interaction between group and time (p < 0.001). 

The findings support the efficacy of group psychodrama in enhancing life satisfaction, self-compassion, and positive affects in depressed patients. These improvements were sustained over a five-month follow-up period, suggesting that psychodrama can be a valuable therapeutic approach for depression. Future research should explore long-term effects and compare psychodrama with other therapeutic modalities.