Effect of a psychoeducation program based on cognitive-behavioral psychodrama techniques on premenstrual syndrome symptoms: a randomized controlled trial

Altan Sarikaya N., KAYA MERAL D.

Psychology, Health and Medicine, vol.30, no.1, pp.178-190, 2025 (SCI-Expanded) identifier identifier

  • Publication Type: Article / Article
  • Volume: 30 Issue: 1
  • Publication Date: 2025
  • Doi Number: 10.1080/13548506.2024.2424999
  • Journal Name: Psychology, Health and Medicine
  • Journal Indexes: Science Citation Index Expanded (SCI-EXPANDED), Social Sciences Citation Index (SSCI), Scopus, Academic Search Premier, ASSIA, PASCAL, CAB Abstracts, CINAHL, Educational research abstracts (ERA), MEDLINE, Psycinfo, SportDiscus
  • Page Numbers: pp.178-190
  • Keywords: Cognitive-behavioral therapy, premenstrual syndrome, psychodrama, therapeutic intervention
  • Istanbul Gelisim University Affiliated: Yes

Abstract

Premenstrual syndrome is characterized by physical and psychological symptoms that negatively affect daily functioning. This study investigated the effect of a psychoeducation program based on cognitive-behavioral psychodrama techniques on premenstrual syndrome symptoms. This study utilized a 2 × 2 pretest-posttest, experimental-control group research design. The sample consisted of 32 participants randomized into experimental (n = 16) and control (n = 16) groups. The experimental group participated in a seven-session psychoeducation program based on cognitive-behavioral psychodrama techniques. Data were collected using a personal information questionnaire and the Premenstrual Syndrome Scale (PMSS). The experimental group demonstrated a significantly lower median posttest PMSS total and ‘depressive affect’, ‘fatigue’, ‘irritability’, ‘depressive thoughts’, ‘changes in appetite’ and ‘changes in sleeping habits’ subscale scores than the pretest score (p <.05). Moreover, the experimental group had a significantly lower median posttest ‘anxiety’ score than the control group (p =.021). A psychoeducational program based on cognitive-behavioral and psychodrama techniques can be used as an effective therapeutic intervention to relieve or managing premenstrual symptoms.