| This research explored participants' perceptions of and experiences with control dramas and the implications for interpersonal communication. The literature review consisted of definitive theoretical work inclusive of control drama polarities, childhood development, transactional analysis, and Jungian synchronicity. The aim of this research was to provide detailed documentation of participants' observations and awareness of their experiences with control dramas post workshop attendance.; Four participants were selected from a pool of candidates who previously attended psychoeducational workshops on control drama. The study utilized a semistructured interview technique. The interview questions were informed by the review of the literature, the researcher's knowledge as a clinician and presenter on control dramas, and findings from a pilot study. In the initial interview, the participants completed a questionnaire intended to document their knowledge of control dramas. During the debriefing interview, the interviewer collected the journal and discussed with each participant his or her experiences, perceptions, and understanding of control dramas. Between interviews, the participants were instructed to keep a journal that included predetermined prompting questions.; This qualitative study used grounded theory procedures to gather a rich and full description of individuals' psychoeducational knowledge of control dramas and practical application skills to achieve the aim of this study. The NVIV07 qualitative software program was used to analyze the transcribed data for conceptual themes. The journal entry and interview data were analyzed through content analysis. Comparative analysis was conducted across and within participant data profiles. Participants identified dominate control drama roles active in self and others, and reported improved interpersonal communication and the increased capacity to alter their own behavior.; This investigation may prove useful in teaching communication, conflict mediation, and self-empowerment skills. From a humanistic perspective, mapping control dramas may facilitate individual transformational processes. Further study with control dramas may offer some insight in what has been historically characterized as troubled cultural and international group relationships. |
