Comparing the Efficacy of Transactional Analysis-Based Group Counseling and Psychodrama on Social Self-Empowerment among Children of Divorce

Nasrin Asadi Khezerlou; Amir Panah Ali; Shahram Vahedi; Naeimeh Moheb

Authors

Nasrin Asadi Khezerlou Department of Psychology and Counseling, Ta.C., Islamic Azad University, Tabriz, Iran. Author https://orcid.org/0009-0004-0328-6929
Amir Panah Ali Department of Psychology and Counseling, Ta.C., Islamic Azad University, Tabriz, Iran. Corresponding Author https://orcid.org/0000-0002-8403-7841
Shahram Vahedi Department of Educational Sciences, University of Tabriz, Tabriz, Iran. Author https://orcid.org/0000-0001-6573-2294
Naeimeh Moheb Department of Clinical Psychology, Ta.C., Islamic Azad University, Tabriz, Iran. Author https://orcid.org/0000-0001-6036-4584

Keywords:

Transactional Analysis, Psychodrama, Social Self, Empowerment, Children of Divorce, Group Counseling

Abstract

Objective: This study aimed to compare the efficacy of Transactional Analysis-based group counseling and psychodrama in improving social self-empowerment among female adolescents from divorced families.

Methods and Materials: This quasi-experimental study employed a pretest-posttest control-group design with a two-week follow-up. The statistical population consisted of female senior high school students aged 15–17 years from divorced families in Ajabshir, Iran, during the 2023–2024 academic year. Using purposive sampling, 36 eligible students were selected and randomly assigned to Transactional Analysis, psychodrama, and control groups, with 12 participants in each group. The experimental groups received nine 90-minute intervention sessions twice weekly, whereas the control group received no intervention. Social self-empowerment was assessed using the Social Competence Questionnaire. Data were analyzed in SPSS using analysis of covariance and Bonferroni post-hoc comparisons.

Findings: After controlling for pretest scores, the group effect on posttest social self-empowerment was statistically significant, F(2, 32)=25.375, p<0.001, η²=0.613. Bonferroni comparisons showed that both Transactional Analysis (MD=1.153, p<0.001) and psychodrama (MD=0.669, p<0.001) produced significantly greater improvements than the control condition. Moreover, Transactional Analysis resulted in a significantly greater increase in social self-empowerment than psychodrama (MD=0.484, SE=0.149, p=0.008).

Conclusion: Both Transactional Analysis-based group counseling and psychodrama were effective in enhancing social self-empowerment among female adolescents from divorced families; however, Transactional Analysis demonstrated superior efficacy. These findings support the implementation of structured school-based group counseling interventions to strengthen interpersonal competence, social agency, and adaptive functioning among adolescents affected by parental divorce.

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