An exploration of the influence of drama as praxis on the recreational experience of residents in a long-term care setting
Year: 2010
Type: dissertation
Abstract: This study uses a grounded theory approach (Charmaz, 2006) in a small case study to examine if drama as praxis influences long-term care residents when presented as a recreational activity. When used as “praxis” (Taylor, 2000), drama focuses solely on the learning and personal growth of the participants. The growth of long-term care underscores the value of recreational programming for quality of life in these institutions; drama as praxis has not been widely used in this context.\nElements of the literature review were used to identify areas where dramatic activities have demonstrated influence in educational contexts:\n•\tEngagement / Participation\n•\tSelf-Confidence / Sense of Efficacy\n•\tSocial Skills / Empathy\n•\tCreativity / Imagination\n•\tCognitive Skill Development / Understanding \nThese became sensitizing concepts for the creation of “drama as praxis” activities, presented in six sessions to a small group of residents at a long-term care residence in the Toronto area. Data collection was based on the researcher’s observations and participant interviews. \nDrama was found to have a recreational benefit impacting quality of life, with Engagement, Social Skills,, and Self-Confidence, the predominant benefits observed. Creativity and Cognitive Skill Development were less frequent. \nA Theory of the Recreational Benefit of Drama as Praxis was then developed to help the researcher understand why these benefits might be caused by drama. Based on theoretical sampling from recent research in gerontology and brain science, the theory highlights four beneficial components of drama as praxis: \n1.\tKinesthetics – Fosters engagement and memory retrieval\n2.\tPlay and Endorphinal Release – Triggers cognitive work without fear or fatigue \n3.\tImagination and Perspective-taking – Helps individuals retrieve emotional memories, develop different perspectives, and joyfully create\n4.\tNarrative - Helps participants access and process events in their lives, past and present\nThe study ends with a discussion of possible implications for the use of drama in long-term care but emphasizes that, due to the size of the sample, the results of the research cannot necessarily be assumed to apply in other contexts. Suggestions for further research are made that might address this and help to clarify the findings of the study.
Source: TSpace (University of Toronto)
Author: Edmond J. Dixon
Language: English
Subfield: Geriatrics and Gerontology
Field: Medicine
Domain: Health Sciences
Open Access status: green
OpenAlex ID: W624688907