Between life and death: clinical study on the psychodramatic theraphy of two oncological patients

Journal title RICERCHE DI PSICOLOGIA
Author/s Giulia Lamiani, Ivan Fossati, Elena Vegni
Publishing Year 2017 Issue 2016/4 Language Italian
Pages 24 P. 611-634 File size 259 KB
DOI 10.3280/RIP2016-004008
DOI is like a bar code for intellectual property: to have more infomation click here

Below, you can see the article first page

If you want to buy this article in PDF format, you can do it, following the instructions to buy download credits

Article preview

FrancoAngeli is member of Publishers International Linking Association, Inc (PILA), a not-for-profit association which run the CrossRef service enabling links to and from online scholarly content.

The efficacy of psychological group interventions for cancer patients is known in the literature. Among group psychotherapies, psychodrama is a model which is particularly suitable for cancer patients. As an action method, psychodrama overcomes mentalization and promotes the expression of the internal world through the enactment of problematic situations. However, only a few studies have assessed the efficacy of psychodrama groups with cancer patients. From 2010, two psychodrama therapy groups for cancer patients have been offered on a regular basis at San Paolo Hospital, Milan. This study aims to describe the effects of psychodrama therapy through the description of the internal processes of two patients who ended the therapy in one case due to death and in the second case for shared decision. The verbatim transcripts of 15 sessions per patient were analyzed, corresponding the initial, middle and final phase of therapy. The analysis of the transcript according to the Interpretative Phenomenological Approach, allowed us to highlight the evolution and psychological growth of these two patients.

Keywords: Psychodrama, group therapy, cancer, psychotherapy effectiveness

  1. Norcross, J.C. (2011). Psychotherapy Relationships that Work: evidence-based responsiveness (second edition). New York: Oxford University Press.
  2. Napolitani, D.(1987). Individualità e gruppalità. Torino: Bollati Boringhieri.
  3. Baile, W.F., De Panfilis, L., Tanzi, S., Moroni, M., Walters, R., & Biasco, G. (2012). Using sociodrama and psychodrama to teach communication in end-of-life care. Journal of Palliative Medicine, 15, 1006-1010.
  4. Beatty, L., & Koczwara, B. (2010). An effectiveness study of a CBT group program for women with breast cancer. Clinical Psychologist, 14, 45-53. DOI: 10.1080/13284207.2010.500307
  5. Beutel, M.E., Weißflog, G., Leuteritz, K., Wiltink, J., Haselbacher, A., Ruckes, C., ... & Brähler, E. (2014). Efficacy of short-term psychodynamic psychotherapy (STPP) with depressed breast cancer patients: results of a randomized controlled multicenter trial. Annals of Oncology, 25, 378-384.
  6. Blatner, A. (1996). Acting-in: Practical applications of psychodramatic methods. New York: Springer Publishing Company.
  7. Boria, G. (2005). Psicoterapia psicodrammatica. Milano: FrancoAngeli.
  8. Bradley, C.J., Given, C.W., & Roberts, C. (2001). Disparities in cancer diagnosis and survival. Cancer, 91, 178-188.
  9. Breitbart, W., Rosenfeld, B., Gibson, C., Pessin, H., Poppito, S., Nelson, C., ... & Sorger, B. (2010). Meaning‐centered group psychotherapy for patients with advanced cancer: a pilot randomized controlled trial. Psycho-Oncology, 19, 21-28.
  10. Breitbart, W., Rosenfeld, B., Pessin, H., Applebaum, A., Kulikowski, J., & Lichtenthal, W.G. (2015). Meaning-centered group psychotherapy: an effective intervention for improving psychological well-being in patients with advanced cancer. Journal of Clinical Oncology, 33, 749-754. DOI: 10.1200/JCO.2014.57.2198
  11. Butler, L.D., Koopman, C., Classen, C., & Spiegel, D. (1999). Traumatic stress, life events, and emotional support in women with metastatic breast cancer: Cancer-related traumatic stress symptoms associated with past and current stressors. Health Psychology, 18, 555-560. DOI: 10.1037/0278-6133.18.6.555
  12. Classen, C., Butler, L.D., Koopman, C., Miller, E., DiMiceli, S., Giese-Davis, J., ... & Spiegel, D. (2001). Supportive-expressive group therapy and distress in patients with metastatic breast cancer: a randomized clinical intervention trial. Archives of General Psychiatry, 58, 494-501.
  13. Cordova, M.J., Andrykowski, M.A., Kenady, D. E., McGrath, P.C., Sloan, D.A., & Redd, W.H. (1995). Frequency and correlates of posttraumatic-stress-disorder-like symptoms after treatment for breast cancer. Journal of Consulting and Clinical Psychology, 63(6), 981-86. DOI: 10.1037/0022-006X.63.6.981
  14. Costantini, A., & Biondi, M. (1990). Il contributo delle tecniche psicologiche nei pazienti in trattamento antitumorale: l’approccio cognitivo comportamentale. Medicina Psicosomatica, 1, 91-102.
  15. Dotti, L. (2009). Il concetto di spontaneità-creatività e le sue potenzialità terapeutiche. Psicodramma Classico, 11, 39-62.
  16. Edwards, J. (1996). Examining the clinical utility of the Moreno Social Atom Projective Test. Journal of Group Psychotherapy, Psychodrama & Sociometry 49, 2-10.
  17. Fawzy, F.I., & Fawzy, N.W. (1998). Group therapy in the cancer setting. Journal of Psychosomatic Research, 45, 191-200.
  18. Fossati, I. (2007). Lo psicodramma in ospedale: un’esperienza pilota con pazienti oncologici. Psicodramma Classico, 9, 21-37.
  19. Foulkes, S.H. (1967). Analisi terapeutica di gruppo. Torino: Bollati Boringhieri.
  20. Grassi, L. Biondi, M., & Costantini, A. (2002). Manuale pratico di psico-oncologia. Roma: Il Pensiero Scientifico.
  21. Grassi, L., Fujisawa, D., Odyio, P., Asuzu, C., Ashley, L., Bultz, B., ... & Fielding, R. (2016). Disparities in psychosocial cancer care: a report from the International Federation of Psycho-oncology Societies. Psycho-Oncology, 25, 1127-1136.
  22. Greco, M. (2009). Intersoggettività e interdipendenza. Ovvero dello stile relazionale nella metodologia psicodrammatica. Psicodramma Classico, 11, 1-2.
  23. Kissane, D.W., Bloch, S., Smith, G.C., Miach, P., Clarke, D.M., Ikin, J., ... & McKenzie, D. (2003). Cognitive‐existential group psychotherapy for women with primary breast cancer: a randomised controlled trial. Psycho‐Oncology, 12, 532-546.
  24. Krenz, S., Godel, C., Stagno, D., Stiefel, F., & Ludwig, G. (2014). Psychodynamic interventions in cancer care II: a qualitative analysis of the therapists' reports. Psycho‐Oncology, 23, 75-80.
  25. Kübler-Ross, E. (1969). La morte e il morire. Assisi: Cittadella Editrice, 2005.
  26. McGarvey, E.L., Canterbury, R.J., Koopman, C., Clavet, G.J., Cohen, R., Largay, K., & Spiegel, D. (1998). Acute stress disorder following diagnosis of cancer. International Journal of Rehabilitation and Health, 4, 1-15. DOI: 10.1023/A:1022975018175
  27. Menichetti, J., Giusti, L., Fossati, I., & Vegni, E. (2015). Adjustment to cancer: exploring patients' experiences of participating in a psychodramatic group intervention. European Journal of Cancer Care.
  28. Moreno, J.L. (1985). Manuale di psicodramma. Il teatro come terapia. Roma: Astrolabio.
  29. Oflaz, F., Meriç, M., Yuksel, C., & Ozcan, C.T. (2011). Psychodrama: an innovative way of improving self‐awareness of nurses. Journal of Psychiatric and Mental Health Nursing, 18, 569-575.
  30. Raingruber, B. (2011) The effectiveness of psychosocial interventions with cancer patients: an integrative review of the literature (2006–2011). ISRN Nursing, 2011, 1-28. DOI: 10.5402/2011/638218
  31. Saita, E., Molgora, S., & Acquati, C. (2014). Development and evaluation of the cancer dyads group intervention: preliminary findings. Journal of Psychosocial Oncology, 32, 647-664. DOI: 10.1080/07347332.2014.955242
  32. Smith, J.A., Flower, P., & Larkin, M. (2009). Interpretative Phenomenological Analysis: Theory, Method and Research. London: Sage
  33. Smith, J.A., Jarman, M., & Osborne, M. (1999). Doing Interpretative Phenomenological Analysis. In M. Murray & K. Chamberlain (Eds.) Qualitative Health Psychology: Theories and Methods. London: Sage.
  34. Spiegel, D., & Classen, C. (2000). Group therapy for cancer patients. A research-based handbook of psychosocial care. New York: Basic Books.
  35. Spiegel, D., & Yalom, I. (1979). A support group for dying patients. International Journal of Group Psychotheraphy, 28, 233-45.
  36. Spiegel, D., Bloom, J.R., & Yalom, I. (1981). Group support for patients with metastatic cancer: A randomized prospective outcome study. Archives of General Psychiatry, 38, 527-533.
  37. Straker, N. (1998). Psychodynamic psychotherapy for cancer patients. Journal of Psychotherapy Practice and Research, 7, 1-9.
  38. Vegni, E., Tomasoni, N., Fossati, I., Felisati, G., Foa, P., & Moja, E.A. (2010). Interventi di supporto per pazienti oncologici: un’esperienza di psicodramma classico. Psicologia della Salute, 1, 117-128.
  39. Yalom, I.D., & Leszcz, M. (2005). The Theory & Practice of Group Psychotherapy (5th ed.). New York: Basic Books.
  40. Zuehlke, T.E., & Watkins, J.T. (1975). The use of psychotherapy with dying patients: An exploratory study. Journal of Clinical Psychology, 31, 729-732.
  41. Zwerenz, R., Beutel, M.E., Imruck, B.H., Wiltink, J., Haselbacher, A., Ruckes, C., ... & Langanke, D. (2012). Efficacy of psychodynamic short-term psychotherapy for depressed breast cancer patients: study protocol for a randomized controlled trial. BMC cancer, 12, 578. DOI: 10.1186/1471-2407-12-578

  • The effect of drama on psychosocial problems and emotional states of hospitalized children with cancer Fatma Betül Şenol, Yiğit Şenol, in Journal of Pediatric Nursing /2024
    DOI: 10.1016/j.pedn.2024.04.041
  • Surveying 80 Years of Psychodrama Research: A Scientometric Review Mengyu Lim, Alessandro Carollo, S. H. Annabel Chen, Gianluca Esposito, in Frontiers in Psychiatry 780542/2021
    DOI: 10.3389/fpsyt.2021.780542

Giulia Lamiani, Ivan Fossati, Elena Vegni, Tra la vita e la morte: studio clinico sul percorso psicodrammatico di due pazienti oncologi in "RICERCHE DI PSICOLOGIA " 4/2016, pp 611-634, DOI: 10.3280/RIP2016-004008