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Clinical Trials/NCT07311174
NCT07311174CompletedNot Applicable

Can Psychodrama Improve Aggressive Behavior and Social Adjustment? A Randomized Controlled Trial Among Male Adolescents in a Tropical Developing Region

Kerman University of Medical Sciences2 sites in 1 country22 target enrollmentStarted: March 5, 2023Last updated:
Interventions

Trial Snapshot

Phase
Not Applicable
Status
Completed
Enrollment
22
Locations
2
Primary Endpoint
Bell Adjustment Inventory

Study Overview

Brief Summary

This randomized controlled trial evaluated the effectiveness of a 10-session psychodrama intervention on reducing aggressive behavior and improving social adjustment among male adolescents with high aggression and low social adjustment in Bandar Abbas, southern Iran. Twenty-two eligible students were randomly assigned to either a psychodrama intervention group or a comparison group. Outcomes were assessed using the Buss-Perry Aggression Questionnaire and the Bell Adjustment Inventory before and after the intervention.

Detailed Description

This randomized controlled trial was conducted in 2023 among male adolescents aged 11-15 years at a public secondary school in Bandar Abbas, a tropical hot desert region in southern Iran. Students were screened using the Buss-Perry Aggression Questionnaire (BPAQ) and the Bell Adjustment Inventory (BAI). Those with high aggression (BPAQ >117) and low social adjustment (BAI score 16-20) were eligible.

Twenty-two students meeting eligibility criteria were randomly assigned in a 1:1 ratio to either the psychodrama intervention group (n=11) or the comparison group (n=11). One participant in the intervention group dropped out, resulting in final analysis of 21 participants.

The intervention consisted of 10 weekly 90-minute psychodrama sessions based on Blatner's protocol, including role-playing, mirroring, soliloquy, storytelling, future projection, and relaxation exercises. The comparison group received no intervention during the study period but was offered the program after study completion.

Primary outcomes were aggression (measured by BPAQ) and social adjustment (measured by BAI), assessed at baseline and post-intervention. Data were analyzed using ANCOVA and repeated measures ANOVA.

Study Design

Study Type
Interventional
Allocation
Randomized
Intervention Model
Parallel
Primary Purpose
Other
Masking
Double (Participant, Outcomes Assessor)

Eligibility Criteria

Sex
Male
Accepts Healthy Volunteers
No

Inclusion Criteria

  • Male, 7th or 8th-grade student (aged 11-13).
  • BPAQ score >
  • BAI score between 16 and
  • Able to commute to after-school classes.
  • Parental informed consent obtained.

Exclusion Criteria

  • Physical disability or severe illness.
  • History of major psychiatric disorders or current psychiatric medication use.
  • Unwillingness to participate or missing >2 sessions.

Arms & Interventions

Psychodrama

Experimental

Participants received a 10-session structured psychodrama intervention based on Blatner's protocol. Sessions were held weekly for 90 minutes.

Intervention: Psychodrama (Behavioral)

Standard school program

Active Comparator

Participants continued with their standard school educational program. They received no additional sessions, therapy, or intervention during the 10-week study period.

Other: Standard Care

Intervention: Control (Other)

Outcomes

Primary Outcomes

Bell Adjustment Inventory

Time Frame: Pre-intervention and immediately post-intervention (10 weeks)

Higher scores= Worst outcome (Poorer adjustment).

Buss-Perry Aggression Questionnaire

Time Frame: Pre-intervention and immediately post-intervention (10 weeks)

Higher scores= Worst outcome (Greater aggression).

Secondary Outcomes

No secondary outcomes reported

Investigators

Sponsor Class
Other
Responsible Party
Principal Investigator
Principal Investigator

Parvin Rezaei-Gazki

faculty member

Kerman University of Medical Sciences

Study Sites (2)

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