Case study: exploration of the perceived psychosocial benefits of a theatre project

Identifier:  TFG:1618

Handle: https://hdl.handle.net/20.500.11797/TFG1618

Authors:  Gómez Gómez, Celia

Abstract:
This research is a case study of a recent and innovative initiative carried out by the NGO Mans per l'Acció Solidària Altafulla in Altafulla (Tarragona). It explored the perceived psychosocial benefits by the target population of the Life Memories theatre project. The beneficiaries are women between 70 and 85 years old who are in the evolutionary stage of old age. It has been used a mixed methodology by combining qualitative instruments from the constructivist paradigm and quantitative ones. Sampling has been non-probabilistic purposive, because the sample was not selected randomly, but based on the research criteria. The result of the study is the state of the art of self-esteem, emotional expression and teamwork of the participants. On the one hand, some data show that the short run of the initiative still doesn’t allow the detection of the impact on the target people’s teamwork capacity. On the other hand, it has been possible to know the level of self-esteem of the subjects and we can affirm that the theatre project Live Memories has positive benefits on self-concept and self-esteem. Likewise, there is also evidence that shows the positive impact on the verbal and nonverbal emotional expression of the project beneficiaries. There is also a secondary source analysis that allows the pertinence of the Social Educator into theatre projects. A positive relationship is established between Social Education discipline and performing arts as we understand drama as a flexible and generous tool, directly related with Social Education functions and competencies.