The Effect of Psychodrama and Virtual Reality-Supported Psychoeducation on Emotion Recognition Skills in Earthquake Survivors

Summary

This study examined the effects of psychodrama and cognitive behavioral therapy (CBT)-based virtual reality (VR)-supported psychoeducation on facial emotion recognition skills in earthquake survivors using an artificial intelligence-based Facial Emotion Recognition System. It was conducted using a pre-test-post-test randomized quasi-experimental design. The sample consisted of 32 adult earthquake survivors affected by the February 6, 2023, Kahramanmaraş-centered earthquakes who were residing at the Temporary Accommodation Center. Participants were randomly assigned to two groups: a psychodrama group (n=16) and a VR-supported psychoeducation group (n=16).

The first experimental group received 13 psychodrama sessions, held once a week, while the second group received CBT-based psychoeducation consisting of 10 sessions held once a week, with VR content incorporated at the end of each session. A Personal Information Form, a Semi-Structured Interview Form, and the Facial Emotion Recognition System were used as data collection tools.

Findings based on the Facial Emotion Recognition System revealed that VR-supported psychoeducation produced more pronounced changes in immediate emotional responses, increasing levels of happiness and neutral affect while reducing expressions of fear, sadness, and anger.

In conclusion, the results from the Facial Emotion Recognition System indicate that VR-supported psychoeducation had significant positive effects on participants' immediate emotional responses, reducing negative emotions while increasing happiness and neutral affect. In contrast, the psychodrama intervention did not produce a significant change in the measured immediate emotional responses. These findings can contribute to the planning and development of post-disaster mental health services.

Conditions

• Psychoeducation
• Psychodrama

Interventions

BEHAVIORAL

Psychodrama

The psychodrama intervention for the first experimental group was conducted by a faculty member from the Department of Psychiatry holding a psychodrama certification and a psychologist holding a co-therapist certification. The program consisted of 13 sessions held once a week, each lasting 90-120 minutes.

BEHAVIORAL

Psychoeducation

The second experimental group received a CBT-based, SG-supported psychoeducation program delivered by a faculty member from the Department of Guidance and Psychological Counseling, along with two faculty members from the Department of Psychiatric Nursing who were experienced in leading CBT-based psychoeducation groups. The program consisted of 10 sessions held once a week, each lasting for 60 minutes. The first session was dedicated to introductions and establishing group rules, and the final session was reserved for closing and farewells; thus, SG content was used only during sessions 2 through 9.

Sponsors & Collaborators

• Inonu University

  lead OTHER

Principal Investigators

• Fidan Balkaya, Research Assistant · Inonu University Faculty of Nursing

Study Design

Allocation

RANDOMIZED

Purpose

SUPPORTIVE_CARE

Masking

SINGLE

Model

PARALLEL

Eligibility

Min Age

18 Years

Max Age

60 Years

Sex

FEMALE

Healthy Volunteers

Yes

Timeline & Regulatory

Start

2024-02-01

Primary Completion

2024-06-30

Completion

2025-04-01

Countries

• Turkey (Türkiye)

Study Locations