Use of psychodrama method in trainings about child abuse and neglect

Objective: Child abuse and neglect should be a main topic in trainings of students who have a possibility to encounter a neglected and abused child in their future professional lives. Use of psychodrama in training such an important and sensitive subject is a novel approach. In this study, it is aimed to evaluate the effects of psychodrama method for the training about child abuse and neglect given to university students. Method: In this training, a group of 11 students attended the 16 week course, once a week for 2,5 hours. The effects of this training were evaluated by quantitative and qualitative methods. Results: For quantitative analysis pre and post training knowledge tests revealed scores of 33 and 39 respectively. The difference was statistically significant (p<0.05). Awareness test scores for pre and post training evaluation were 85 and 89 respectively. Although there was an increase after training this increase was not statistically significant (p=0.65). Focus group interview which was performed for qualitative analysis revealed that the training increased the participants' awareness and empathy, made them more sensitive for the news about children and child abuse, taught them not to judge people, encouraged them for their future career and made them understand the importance of multidisciplinary approach. Discussion: These perceived benefits indicate that psychodrama method may be used to teach the topic of child abuse and neglect.