| Abstract [eng] |
Thesis topic: The Impact of Drama Therapy on Physiological State and Psychoemotional Health of Older Women. Background: As the global population ages, there is an increasing need for non-pharmacological interventions to enhance the mental and physiological wellbeing of older adults. This study examines the effectiveness of drama therapy (DT) as a holistic intervention for elderly women. As a holistic approach, drama therapy offers unique opportunities to reduce tension, distress and social isolation arising from the aging process. Objective of the research: To evaluate the impact of drama therapy program on the physiological state and psychoemotional health of older women. Research tasks: 1. To discuss the scientific literature examining the effects of drama therapy on the physiological state and psycho-emotional health of older persons. 2. To evaluate the changes in the physiological state of the subjects by analyzing the heart rate (pulse) indicators before and after the drama therapy sessions. 3. To study the changes in the psycho-emotional well-being of the study participants during the drama therapy process, assessing their emotional state, tension, relaxation and body sensation. 4. To determine the effect of the drama therapy program on the symptoms of psychological distress, anxiety, depression and somatization and their interrelationships with physiological and sociodemographic indicators. Methods: The study involved 15 women (aged 66–84) from the Medardas Čobotas Third Age University. The participants were a homogenous group of highly educated urban residents. The research design utilized a multi-method approach over 8 DT sessions, integrating: 1) physiological monitoring (pulse rate pre- and post-session); 2) a 4-item subjective wellbeing questionnaire; 3) the Four-Dimensional Symptom Questionnaire (4DSQ) for clinical distress, depression, anxiety, and somatization; and 4) sociodemographic analysis. Results: Quantitative analysis revealed a statistically significant reduction in mean heart rate (5.0 ± 1,8 bpm, p < 0,001) with a large effect size (Cohen’s d = 1,48), indicating successful activation of the parasympathetic nervous system. Data from the 4DSQ showed a consistent decrease in psychological depression, distress and somatization symptoms (p <. 0,05). These findings correlated with subjective assessments, where participants reported significant improvements in emotional state, reduced inner tension, and enhanced body awareness. While minor individual variations in physiological response were noted during highly active creative activities, the overall trend remained positive across the entire age spectrum of women studied. Conclusions: The integration of four distinct data sets confirms that drama therapy serves as an effective intervention for older women. It provides a dual benefit: immediate physiological stress reduction and long-term improvement in psychoemotional health. The findings suggest that DT is a viable and safe rehabilitative tool for Third Age Universities to enhance the quality of life and psychological resilience of their students. Keywords: Drama therapy, older women, psychoemotional health, 4DSQ, heart rate variability, Third Age University. |
