DRAMA-BASED INTERVENTIONS FOR THE PSYCHOSOCIAL RECOVERY OF CHILDREN AND ADOLESCENTS IN TIMES OF CRISIS

Eleni Stathi, Konstantinos Mastrothanasis

Abstract


Periods of health emergencies, natural disasters, social upheavals, or economic instability increasingly disrupt the fabric of communities, with children and adolescents often bearing the brunt of the psychosocial consequences. This paper explores how such crises impact minors, not only highlighting the particular difficulties they encounter, but also examining the factors that underpin their resilience. Within this context, the study turns its attention to drama-based interventions as an alternative avenue for support and recovery. It delves into practices such as drama games, story dramatization, improvisation, and puppetry, assessing their relevance and adaptability. Adopting a narrative review methodology, the article presents and evaluates concrete examples where drama-based approaches have been put into practice in response to various forms of crisis. These cases illustrate that incorporating theatrical expression and experiential creativity into psychosocial interventions can ease the burden of trauma, strengthen collective bonds, and gradually restore young people's emotional well-being. The versatility of these methods, their capacity to foster empathy, self-awareness, and social inclusion, and their suitability across different cultural and educational settings are all brought to the fore. The study suggests that drama-based methodologies offer more than just temporary relief. By encouraging active participation and personal expression, they lay the groundwork for genuine empowerment among youth. On this basis, the systematic integration of such interventions into educational and community programs, both as preventive measures and as part of recovery strategies, is recommended to support psychological resilience and social cohesion during periods of uncertainty.

 

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drama-based interventions, psychosocial recovery, children, adolescents, crisis, resilience

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DOI: http://dx.doi.org/10.46827/ejes.v12i9.6151

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