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Classroom drama therapy program for immigrant and refugee adolescents: a pilot study
Cécile Rousseau1, Maryse Benoit, Marie-France Gauthier
1McGill University, Canada. cecile.rousseau@muhc.mcgill.ca
Clinical Child Psychology and Psychiatry
|October 24, 2007
Summary
This drama therapy program helped immigrant and refugee adolescents reduce symptom impairment and improve math skills. The intervention shows promise for social adjustment in vulnerable youth.
Area of Science:
- Psychology
- Education
- Social Work
Background:
- Immigrant and refugee adolescents often face emotional and behavioral challenges.
- School-based programs can support the social adjustment of newcomer youth.
- Drama therapy offers a non-stigmatizing approach to address adversity.
Purpose of the Study:
- To evaluate a school-based drama therapy program for immigrant and refugee adolescents.
- To assess the program's impact on emotional and behavioral problems and school performance.
- To determine the program's effectiveness in preventing mental health issues and enhancing social adjustment.
Main Methods:
- An evaluative study involving 136 immigrant and refugee adolescents (aged 12-18).
- A 9-week drama therapy program implemented in an integration class setting.
- Pretest and posttest data collected using Strengths and Difficulties Questionnaire (self-report and teacher's forms) and academic performance metrics.
Main Results:
- No significant improvements in self-esteem or emotional/behavioral symptoms were reported.
- Adolescents in the drama therapy group showed lower mean levels of symptom impairment compared to the control group, controlling for baseline data.
- Significant improvements in mathematics performance were observed in the experimental group compared to the control group.
Conclusions:
- The drama therapy program shows potential for improving social adjustment in recently arrived immigrant and refugee adolescents.
- The intervention may be effective in a preventive and non-stigmatizing manner for adolescents exposed to adversity.
- Drama therapy can positively impact academic performance and reduce the impact of symptoms on daily functioning.
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