Drāmas terapija psiholoģisko aizsardzības mehānismu mazināšanai no psihoaktīvo vielu atkarīgiem pacientiem Minesotas programmā

Studies show that psychoactive substance users apply various psychological defence mechanisms, such as denial, regression, projection, and intellectualization, which prevent full recovery (Masi, 2017). There are no studies conducted in Latvia on the psychological defence mechanisms of addiction patients, as well as on drama therapy. According to the theoretical framework, this particular type of art therapy could promote a decline of the psychological defence mechanisms of addiction patients through role-play, exercising new behaviour models, acceptance, and behaviour mirroring (Emunah,1994). The aim of this Master Thesis is to study whether drama therapy reduces the psychological defence mechanisms of psychoactive substance addiction patients that are treated with the Minnesota Model. Thus, the first research question is whether there is a statistically relevant difference between the study group post-drama therapy and the control group of psychoactive substance addiction patients currently treated with the Minnesota Model. The second research question is whether there are clinically relevant differences found within the study group post-drama therapy. Overall, 9 patients (6 males and 3 females) were invited to become participants in the study group. These patients had enrolled in the Minnesota Model right before the beginning of this study, however, some of the patients left the ongoing study. Research participants in the study group received 10 drama therapy sessions over a period of three weeks, three times per week. The duration of each session was 90 minutes. The research tool applied was the (Life Style Index, LSI, Plutchik, 2000), adapted in Latvian by Plaude and Raščevska (2008). The first measurement was made pre-drama therapy, whereas the second measurement was made following the last drama therapy session. Identical measurements were made in the control group; however, the control group did not receive any drama therapy. There is no statistically relevant difference observed in any of the psychological defence mechanism scales of the study group pre- and post-drama therapy. Additionally, a comparison between the results of the study and control group pre- and post-intervention did not show statistically relevant differences. Regarding the second research question, it can be concluded that clinically relevant differences were observed in each of the psychological defence mechanism scales of the study group post-drama therapy.