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The Effectiveness of Group Drama Therapy Based on Jungian Analytical Psychology Concepts on Anxiety and Social Skills in Adolescents and Young Adults with Autism Spectrum Disorder
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Amirfarzam Dehnavi   , Nayeresadat Mobinipour * , Abolfazl Davoudi Roknabadi |
| , nayeremobinipour@iau.ir |
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Abstract: (18 Views) |
Introduction: Autism spectrum disorder (ASD) is associated with persistent difficulties in social interaction and communication, and anxiety is common in individuals with ASD. Drama therapy, through dramatic activities, role-playing, and group interaction, may provide opportunities for emotional expression and social behavior practice. However, evidence on group drama therapy based on Jungian analytical psychology concepts in individuals with ASD is limited. This study aimed to determine its effectiveness on anxiety and social skills.
Methods: This quasi-experimental study employed a pretest–posttest design with a control group and was conducted in 2025. Forty adolescents and young adults aged 14–28 years with ASD were recruited from a rehabilitation center in Tehran using convenience sampling and were non-randomly allocated to intervention and control groups (20 participants per group). The intervention group participated in ten weekly 90-minute sessions of group drama therapy based on selected concepts of Jungian analytical psychology, while the control group received usual rehabilitation services. Anxiety and social skills were assessed using the Beck Anxiety Inventory and the Matson Evaluation of Social Skills with Youngsters, respectively. Data were analyzed using analysis of covariance (ANCOVA), controlling for pretest scores, in SPSS version 26.
Results: All 40 participants completed the posttest. Mean anxiety scores decreased from 49.20 ± 6.40 to 30.10 ± 5.30 in the intervention group, compared with 48.70 ± 6.80 to 47.90 ± 6.50 in controls. After controlling for pretest scores, the difference was significant (F(1,37) = 86.85, P < 0.001, ηp² = 0.70). Mean social skills scores increased from 54.10 ± 6.10 to 66.30 ± 7.40 in the intervention group, compared with 53.80 ± 6.30 to 54.60 ± 6.50 in controls (F(1,37) = 19.36, P < 0.001, ηp² = 0.34). Adjusted means for anxiety were 30.42 and 47.58, and for social skills 65.81 and 55.09, in the intervention and control groups, respectively.
Conclusion: Group drama therapy based on Jungian analytical psychology concepts was associated with reduced anxiety and improved social skills in adolescents and young adults with ASD compared with usual rehabilitation services. Given the limited sample size, non-random allocation, age heterogeneity, and absence of follow-up, findings should be generalized cautiously.
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| Keywords: Autism Spectrum Disorder, Drama Therapy, Analytical Psychology, Anxiety, Social Skills. |
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Type of Study: Research |
Subject:
Special
Received: 2026/06/7 | Accepted: 2026/09/1 | Published: 2026/09/1 | ePublished: 2026/09/1
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