Dramatherapy - Volume 30, Issue 2, 2008

In this article, the author revisits an earlier paper published in 1995, “The Dramatic World View: Reflections on the Roles Taken and Played by Young Children,” which surveyed the ways and means that children acquire and play out roles in their early development. The paper was based on Landy's role theory in dramatherapy and on the observation of his two young children from eight months to four years old. The author adds his reflections upon his children twelve years later based on his observation of their projective drawings and stories. These observations lead to a discussion of role-taking and role-playing processes in the continuing development of individuals from childhood through adolescence. Throughout the article, the author examines the continuity and change of roles as manifested in the developing child's expressive activities.

Rehabilitation for people with dual diagnosis (co-existing mental illness and substance dependence) has existed in many forms over the past thirty years and has become more urgently needed over time. Treatment for this population inevitably requires a team effort (Schwartz & Lehman, 1998). These people are difficult to engage in treatment and it takes time to unravel the interacting effects of substance abuse and their mental illness. Social relationships may also be problematic, particularly once the person has decided to discontinue drug or alcohol abuse. Often such clients find it easier to communicate socially with people who have similar problems (Hatfield, 1993).

Improvements in self-esteem and reduced intake of drugs and alcohol are rarely monitored in the one community psychiatric facility, as in this study. The method of treatment in this case was to run a small group for participants over an extended period with support from multidisciplinary teams, using a Dutch model for drug and alcohol rehabilitation. By targeting psychiatric relapse prevention and people's life stories, using a biographical developmental framework and dramatherapy interventions, the intention was to achieve outcomes of higher self esteem and reduced intake of recreational drugs. In fact the pre and post measures chosen did not show significant variance. For all participants, including those who were already abstinent, changes in lifestyle and achievement of life goals were sought. As a result, there was reported enjoyment of mutual support, sharing and understanding of individual life stories, together with strategies to increase resilience. Further research is needed to identify how best to measure outcomes.

Hatfield, A. (1993) ‘Dual Diagnosis and Mental Illness’, Journal of National Alliance for the Mentally Ill, (Online), retrieved 11.1.08

Schwartz, R. & Lehman, A. (1995) in ‘Overview of Treatment Principles’ in Lehman, A. & Dixon, L. (eds.) Double Jeopardy, Harwood Academic Publishers, Chur, Switzerland, p.77