| Abstract [eng] |
Rituals as Dramatherapeutic Experiences: Psychological Well-Being and Self-Connection Among Young People with Addictive Tendencies Questions of inquiry: Can a drama therapist make use of the ancient rituals as foundations for future practice? How can ritual practice be of service to young recreational psychoactive substance users? Can participation in ritual practice aid development of participant‘s self-connection and psychological well-being? Participants: 8 young adults (24-33y.o.), prone to occasional psychoactive substance use. All regular participants of bi-weekly therapeutic ritual gatherings. Methods: Data gathered via a semi-structured interview and a digital questionnaire containing self-connection and psychological well-being scales. Data was analysed using thematic analysis method. Research aim: To inquire how, in the context of drama therapy, can ritual practices be of service creating a deeper connection-to-self amongst young recreational psychoactive substance users without the aid of drugs. Objectives: 1) To inquire and analyse how the concept of ritual is understood among the current sample; 2) To inquire what value does a ritual practice hold for fostering self-connection and psychological wellbeing; 3) To inquire what makes a ritual memorable; 4) To measure participant’s self-connection and psychological well-being. Results: 1) Ritual practice can be seen as a very broad construct; 2) The structure of collective rituals can be very similar to that of a drama therapy practice; 3) Rituals help foster connection not just to self, but also to the community and higher power; 4) Participants scored quite high on both self-connection and psychological well-being; 5) No link between recreational substance use and the aforementioned scales was found. Conclusion: 1) Rituals are seen as different types of practice done with intention in a liminal space, aided by the use of symbols, aesthetic distance and repetition; 2) Rituals are of great value fostering connections with the self and the community; 3) Key aspects of ritual memorability - quality guidance, proper use of symbols, use and sharing of self -empowerment tools; 4) Most beneficial when regularly practiced or when unclear where else to turn to; 5) No link between recreational substance use and self-connection and psychological wellbeing was found. |
