Psychodrama Group Therapy for Breakup Distress and Relationship Adjustment: A Randomized Trial
Trial statusRecruiting
Trial phaseNot applicable
Trial typeInterventional
Biological sexAll
Age18+
SponsorUniversidade do Porto
About this trial
The purpose of this randomized controlled trial is to evaluate whether a psychodrama group therapy intervention can reduce unresolved breakup distress and improve dyadic adjustment in adults currently involved in romantic relationships who have experienced a significant previous breakup.
The main questions this study aims to answer are:
* Does participation in psychodrama group therapy reduce breakup distress compared with a waiting-list control condition? * Does participation in psychodrama group therapy improve dyadic adjustment and relationship functioning compared with a waiting-list control condition?
The researchers will compare participants receiving the psychodrama group therapy intervention with participants in a waiting-list control condition to determine whether the intervention leads to greater improvements in breakup distress, dyadic adjustment, psychological functioning, relationship quality, and sexual satisfaction.
Participants will:
* complete assessments at baseline, 16 weeks, and 42 weeks; * participate in a 15-session weekly psychodrama group therapy program (intervention group only); * complete questionnaires assessing breakup distress, dyadic adjustment, psychological outcomes, relationship quality, and sexual satisfaction.
Eligibility criteria
This trial does not accept healthy volunteersQualifiers
Age 18 years or older;
Currently involved in a romantic relationship for at least 6 months;
History of at least one significant previous romantic relationship breakup;
Presence of breakup distress related to a previous romantic breakup and/or difficulties in current dyadic adjustment;
Disqualifiers
Presence of severe mental disorder that may interfere with participation in group psychotherapy;
Severe active substance dependence;
Current severe relational violence;
Inability or unwillingness to provide written informed consent;
Trial design
Design model
Parallel
Treatments tested in this trial
Psychodrama Group Therapy for Unresolved Breakup Distress and Dyadic Adjustment
BehavioralA manualized psychodrama group therapy program delivered in 15 weekly sessions of approximately 90-120 minutes. The intervention is based on Morenian psychodrama principles and uses techniques such as role reversal, soliloquy, mirroring, sociometry, sculpting, and dramatization to facilitate emotional processing of previous romantic relationship losses and promote healthier functioning in current romantic relationships. The program is delivered in a closed-group format by trained psychodrama practitioners.
Treatment groups
42 Participants
are divided into 2 treatment groupsGroup A: Psychodrama Group TherapyExperimental treatment 1 intervention
Group B: Waiting-List ControlNo intervention 0 interventions
Trial outcomes
Primary outcomes
1
Change in Breakup Distress
Assessment of breakup-related emotional distress using the Breakup Distress Scale (BDS). The BDS is a 16-item self-report measure assessing emotional distress associated with a previous romantic relationship breakup. Higher scores indicate greater breakup distress.
Time frame
Baseline, 16 weeks, and 42 weeks2
Change in Dyadic Adjustment
Assessment of relationship functioning using the Revised Dyadic Adjustment Scale (RDAS). The RDAS is a 14-item self-report measure evaluating overall dyadic adjustment and the dimensions of consensus, satisfaction, and cohesion within the current romantic relationship. Higher scores indicate better dyadic adjustment.
Time frame
Baseline, 16 weeks, and 42 weeksSecondary outcomes
1
Change in Psychological Functioning
Assessment of psychological functioning using the Clinical Outcomes in Routine Evaluation - Outcome Measure (CORE-OM). The CORE-OM is a 34-item self-report measure assessing subjective well-being, psychological symptoms, social functioning, and risk-related behaviors. Higher scores indicate greater psychological distress and impairment.
Time frame
Baseline, 16 weeks, and 42 weeks2
Change in Perceived Relationship Quality
Assessment of perceived relationship quality using the Perceived Relationship Quality Components Inventory (PRQC). The PRQC is an 18-item self-report measure assessing satisfaction, commitment, intimacy, trust, passion, and love within the current romantic relationship. Higher scores indicate better perceived relationship quality.
Time frame
Baseline, 16 weeks, and 42 weeks3
Change in Sexual Satisfaction
Assessment of sexual satisfaction using the Global Measure of Sexual Satisfaction (GMSEX). The GMSEX is a 5-item self-report measure assessing overall satisfaction with the sexual relationship with the current partner. Higher scores indicate greater sexual satisfaction.
Time frame
Baseline, 16 weeks, and 42 weeksOther outcomes
1
Therapeutic Change as Reported by Participants
Assessment of participants' perceived therapeutic change using the Personal Questionnaire (PQ), an individualized measure in which participants identify and rate personal problems they wish to address during therapy. Lower scores indicate improvement in identified problems.
Time frame
During sessions 1-15 and at 16 weeks (intervention group only)2
Helpful and Hindering Aspects of Therapy
Assessment of participants' perceptions of helpful and unhelpful aspects of each therapy session using the Helpful Aspects of Therapy (HAT) questionnaire.
Time frame
After each intervention session 1-15 (intervention group only)3
Participant Experience of Therapeutic Change
Assessment of participants' experiences of change during therapy using the Client Change Interview (CCI), a semi-structured interview exploring perceived changes, contributing factors, and helpful or unhelpful aspects of treatment.
Time frame
16 weeks and 42 weeks (intervention group only)Sponsors and contacts
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Source ClinicalTrials.gov