Forced interruption and reunion: the effect of COVID-pandemic related restrictions on ongoing psychodrama groups in Hungary

Abstract

The COVID-pandemic measures, restricting physical distancing and lockdown in 2020, had fundamental effects on all aspects of life, including face-to-face group methods, like psychodrama. This situation provided a unique opportunity to study the effects of unavoidable environmental interruptions on psychodrama groups and the leaders’ roles and responses in such situations. We invited Hungarian psychodrama leaders to describe their experiences with their ongoing groups. They completed two online questionnaires; the first was after the initial lock-down and the second during the next wave of the pandemic. Results showed the risk factors and protection regarding the stress on leaders during the interruption and their immediate and lasting consequences after the reunion of the group. In addition, to using role reversal and mirror technique questions, the emerging themes and patterns of their experiences and their key learning regarding interruption and online group sessions were also identified.