Psychodrama-Gruppentherapie mit Kindern

The presented study demonstrates research approaches in an outpatient unit for child and adolescent psychiatry employing psychodrama group therapy for children and their parents. It is our aim to contribute to an effectiveness research that is guided by practice and a systematic reflection of group processes with children. Following an introductory presentation of the researched field as well as the practical application of group therapy, we present an outcome study with follow-up (catamnestic) inquiries and a qualitative single case study focusing on the development of the therapeutic relationship between one particular child of the group and the grouptherapist. The treatment model of this analytic orientated psychodrama group therapy with children and their parents has been developed and practiced in the unit for child and adolescent psychiatry St. Gallen, Switzerland. A cooperation with the Zurich University of Applied Sciences (ZHAW) facilitated synergies for mutual research interests, benefiting both institutions. The catamnestic study collects data from all treated children (n?=?42) and their parents at three separate points in time (beginning, completion and 1–10 years after completion). The effectiveness of the treatment is demonstrated by improvement of lifequality. Treatment satisfaction of parents and children is evaluated and reflected. The single case study analyses the therapeutic relationship between the child and the group therapist with the relationship axis of the operationalized psychodynamic diagnostics in childhood and adolescence (OPD-KJ) employing video-rating of 6 selected (from a total of 40) therapy sessions from the beginning, middle and final phase. The transformation of maladaptive patterns of interaction to adaptive patterns within the therapeutic relationship is illustrated.