Objective To explore the effect of group psychodrama therapy on depression, self-esteem and coping ability in perimenopausal patients with schizophrenia.

Methods Sixty perimenopausal patients with schizophrenia and depression were randomly divided into study group and control group, with 30 cases in each group. Patients in both groups received conventional psychiatric treatment, nursing and health education, while the study group was additionally treated with group psychodrama therapy. Patients were assessed by the Hamilton Depression Rating Scale (HAMD), Rosenberg Self-esteem Scale (SES), Toronto Alexithymia Scale (TAS-20), Positive Coping (PC) scale, Negative Coping (NC) scale, and Positive and Negative Syndrome Scale (PANSS) at the time points of before treatment, 3 weeks after treatment, and 6 months after treatment.

Results The interaction effects of group and time point were significant for HAMD, SES, PANSS, PC and NC scores (P < 0.05), and the main effects of group and time point were both significant for PANSS and PC (P < 0.05). In the study group, HAMD, NC, and PANSS scores significantly decreased, while PC and SES scores increased significantly from pre-treatment to 3 weeks and 6 months after treatment (P < 0.05). The PANSS score in the study group was significantly higher at 6 months after treatment compared to 3 weeks after treatment (P < 0.05). There were significant differences in PANSS and PC scores between the two groups (P < 0.01).

Conclusion Group psychodrama therapy can effectively alleviate depressive symptoms and psychiatric symptoms, improve self-esteem and positive coping ability, and enhance social functioning in perimenopausal patients with schizophrenia.