Shahid Beheshti University Sports Psychology 2676-3729 14 2 2022 10 23 Effectiveness of Drama Therapy on Depression and Psychological Distress Tolerance in Adolescents with Low Level of Physical Activity Effectiveness of Drama Therapy on Depression and Psychological Distress Tolerance in Adolescents with Low Level of Physical Activity 252 263 106322 10.48308/mbsp.2022.1063.7898 FA Samereh Mahjoobian Ms in General Psychology, Department of Psychology, Payame Noor University, Semnan, Iran. Mojgan Agahheris Associate Professor, Department of Psychology, Payam Noor University, Tehran, Iran. Journal Article 2022 08 12 <strong>Purpose</strong>: Drama therapy is a creative intervention that facilitates emotional expression and can help adolescents understand and modulate psychological challenges. This study aimed to evaluate the effectiveness of drama therapy on depression and psychological distress tolerance in adolescents with low physical activity.<br /><strong>Methods:</strong> This quasi-experimental study employed a pretest-posttest-follow-up design with a control group. The sample consisted of 30 adolescents (aged 13-18) supported by a charity in Tehran, selected via convenience sampling and randomly assigned to either an experimental group (n=15) or a control group (n=15). The experimental group received 14 sessions of 90-minute drama therapy based on a structured protocol.<br /><strong>Results:</strong> The results indicated that drama therapy significantly reduced depression (P=0.001) and increased psychological distress tolerance (P=0.003). A significant effect of time was also observed for both depression reduction (P=0.001) and increased distress tolerance (P=0.001). Furthermore, the interaction effect of time and group was significant, showing a greater reduction in depression (P=0.001) and a greater increase in distress tolerance (P=0.047) in the experimental group compared to the control.<br /><strong>Conclusions:</strong> Drama therapy is an effective intervention for reducing depression and enhancing psychological distress tolerance in inactive adolescents under charitable support. This creative, interactive approach provides a valuable framework for improving the mental health of this vulnerable population.<br />  <strong>Purpose</strong>: Drama therapy is a creative intervention that facilitates emotional expression and can help adolescents understand and modulate psychological challenges. This study aimed to evaluate the effectiveness of drama therapy on depression and psychological distress tolerance in adolescents with low physical activity.<br /><strong>Methods:</strong> This quasi-experimental study employed a pretest-posttest-follow-up design with a control group. The sample consisted of 30 adolescents (aged 13-18) supported by a charity in Tehran, selected via convenience sampling and randomly assigned to either an experimental group (n=15) or a control group (n=15). The experimental group received 14 sessions of 90-minute drama therapy based on a structured protocol.<br /><strong>Results:</strong> The results indicated that drama therapy significantly reduced depression (P=0.001) and increased psychological distress tolerance (P=0.003). A significant effect of time was also observed for both depression reduction (P=0.001) and increased distress tolerance (P=0.001). Furthermore, the interaction effect of time and group was significant, showing a greater reduction in depression (P=0.001) and a greater increase in distress tolerance (P=0.047) in the experimental group compared to the control.<br /><strong>Conclusions:</strong> Drama therapy is an effective intervention for reducing depression and enhancing psychological distress tolerance in inactive adolescents under charitable support. This creative, interactive approach provides a valuable framework for improving the mental health of this vulnerable population.<br />  https://mbsp.sbu.ac.ir/article_106322_45bd5c8b62e694c0f1a47f047e963b26.pdf