Selected emotion regulation strategies in the psychodrama group with psychiatric patients

Abstract

In the present study, the use of selected emotion regulation strategies was explored in a group of adults attending a psychodrama psychotherapeutic group at a psychiatric hospital, at the beginning and at the end of their treatment. The varieties of participation in the group process were also analysed. There were 43 group members participating in the study, 12 men and 31 women, aged between 19 and 63 years, diagnosed with anxiety, depression or borderline personality disorder. They self-assessed the questionnaires on their use of certain selected emotion regulation strategies: attentional deployment, cognitive reappraisal, experiential avoidance and suppression. Their participation in the group was assessed by the group leader. The results show a significantly increased use of attentional deployment and cognitive reappraisal, as well as a decrease in the use of experiential avoidance, at the end of psychotherapeutic treatment. The use of emotion regulation strategies also differs regarding participants` diagnoses. A significant connection between attentional deployment and varieties of participation in the group process was found.