Determining the Impact of Creative Drama on Gender Role Stress, Attitudes Toward Violence Against Women, and Aggression Among Men Affected by an Earthquake:A Randomized Controlled Trial
Phase: NA
Conditions: Gender Role, Aggression, Violence
Sponsor: Ataturk University

Study Protocol 
Official Title: Determining the Impact of Creative Drama on Gender Role Stress, 
Attitudes Toward Violence Against Women, and Aggression Among Men Affected by 
the 2023 Earthquake in Türkiye 
NCT Number: NCT Pending 
Document Date: 28 February 2025 (The date approved by the ethics committee / 
institutional review board) 
Responsible Party: Dr. Aslı SİS ÇELİK, Principal Investigator, Atatürk University 
Ethics Committee Approval: Approved by the Atatürk University Faculty of Medicine 
Non-Interventional Clinical Research Ethics Committee 
Study Period: November 2025 – December 2026 
1. Background and Rationale 
Two major earthquakes (7.7 and 7.6 magnitudes) occurred in Türkiye on February 6, 
2023, affecting 11 provinces, including Kahramanmaraş, Hatay, Adıyaman, and Malatya. 
These disasters caused not only physical destruction but also long-term psychological and 
social trauma among survivors. Research indicates that earthquakes can trigger high 
levels of stress, post-traumatic stress disorder, depression, aggression, and tendencies 
toward violence. Creative Drama, as a non-pharmacological and interactive psychosocial 
intervention, has been found to reduce stress and anxiety, improve empathy and 
communication, and promote social cohesion. This randomized controlled experimental 
study aims to determine the impact of Creative Drama on gender role stress, attitudes 
toward violence against women, and aggression in men who experienced the 2023 
earthquake in Türkiye. 
2. Objectives 
Primary Objective: To evaluate the effect of Creative Drama on gender role stress, 
attitudes toward violence against women, and aggression among earthquake-affected 
men. Secondary Objectives: To explore potential improvements in empathy, 
communication skills, and psychological well-being following Creative Drama sessions. 
3. Study Design 
The study will use a randomized controlled experimental design with three parallel arms: 
(1) Experimental Group (Creative Drama Program), (2) Placebo Group (Film Viewing 
Sessions), (3) Control Group (No Intervention). Participants will be randomly assigned to 
one of the three groups using simple randomization generated through randomizer.org. 

The study will employ a double-blind design, where participants and the outcome 
assessor will be blinded to group assignments. 
4. Participants and Sampling 
The study population will consist of men residing in Malatya who experienced the 
February 6, 2023 earthquake. Participants will be recruited via social media 
announcements. The required sample size was determined using a G*Power analysis, 
indicating 22 participants per group for a large effect size (0.80), a significance level of 
0.05, and 90% power. To account for potential dropouts, 25 participants will be included 
in each group, for a total of 75 men. 
5. Inclusion and Exclusion Criteria 
Inclusion: Males aged 18–65 years, experienced the earthquake, married, volunteers, no 
disabilities or psychiatric diagnoses, no prior creative drama or psychosocial support, 
agree to attend sessions. Exclusion: Withdrawal, irregular attendance, relocation, divorce, 
or receiving psychosocial support during the study. 
6. Intervention Procedures 
Experimental Group: 10 weekly Creative Drama sessions (90 minutes each). Placebo 
Group: Watching 10 Turkish films (one per week) with themes of masculinity and 
violence. Control Group: No intervention; pretest and posttest only. 
7. Data Collection Tools 
Participant Information Form, Gender Role Stress Scale for Men, Attitudes Toward 
Violence Against Women Scale, Buss-Perry Aggression Questionnaire – Short Form. 
8. Data Analysis Plan 
Data will be analyzed using SPSS by an independent statistician blinded to group 
assignments (coded X, Y, Z). Analyses: descriptive stats, t-tests, ANOVA, repeated 
measures; significance p < 0.05. 
9. Ethical Considerations 
Approved by Atatürk University Faculty of Medicine Non-Interventional Clinical 
Research Ethics Committee. Written informed consent will be obtained from participants. 
Data will be stored securely and used only for research purposes. 
10. Expected Outcomes 
Creative Drama is expected to reduce gender role stress and aggression and improve 
attitudes toward women and emotional expression among men who experienced the 
earthquake.