Authors: Giacomucci, Scott; Marquit, Joshua; Miller Walsh, Katharine
Source: Zeitschrift für Psychodrama und Soziometrie, Volume: 21, Pages: 171–188, April 2022, DOI: 10.1007/s11620-022-00665-w
Type of Publication: Journal Article
Abstract: This controlled pilot study explores the effectiveness of a three-day trauma-focused psychodrama workshop for men based on the Therapeutic Spiral Model (TSM). Changes in Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder (PTSD) symptoms, Post-Traumatic Growth (PTG), and spontaneity were assessed through pre-tests, post-tests, and a 30-day follow-up assessment. Results of our descriptive analysis show a decrease in PTSD symptoms, increase in PTG, and increase in spontaneity for participants in the workshop compared to the control group at the follow-up assessment. Our findings also point to a potential inverse relationship between PTSD and spontaneity, as well as a positive relationship between spontaneity and PTG, further integrating Moreno’s spontaneity theory into the larger field of trauma therapy and research. However, due to small sample sizes and low response rates at the follow-up assessment, the study has limited generalizability. Additional research is needed to evaluate the effectiveness of TSM and trauma-focused psychodrama as a three-day workshop intensive.