Conducting playback theatre with older adults—A therapist's perspective. (September 2018)

• Record Type: Journal Article
• Authors: Keisari, Shoshi; Yaniv, Dani; Palgi, Yuval; Gesser-Edelsburg, Anat
• Is Part Of: Arts in psychotherapy. Volume 60(2018)
• Page Start: 72
• Page End: 81
• Publication Date: 2018-09
• Subjects: Playback theatre -- Drama therapy -- Older adults -- Group psychotherapy -- Creativity -- Aging; Art therapy -- Periodicals; Dance therapy -- Periodicals; Music therapy -- Periodicals; Poetry -- Therapeutic use -- Periodicals; 616.891656
• DOI: 10.1016/j.aip.2018.07.002
• Languages: English
• ISSNs: 0197-4556

Abstract

Highlights: Life-stories of older adults are revealed in Playback Theatre (PT) groups. Playfulness within PT can enhance flexibility and self-development in older age. The PT shared group experience can promote belonging and social engagement. Abstract: Playback Theatre (PT) is a form of improvisational theatre that centers on the personal story. Therapists conduct PT with older adults (PT-O) in a therapeutic setting. However, there are only a handful of studies to support its use. This report presents the experiences of therapists who conduct PT-O in a group therapeutic setting. Eight therapists were interviewed about their experience of conducting PT groups or the use of PT tools in a therapeutic setting with older adults. Data were gathered and analyzed using Grounded Theory to generate concepts and inter-related categories. The constructed theoretical PT-O model yielded four major categories that represent the four key aspects of the process and its healing effects: 1) PT brings personal stories to life, thereby generating therapeutic value from the testimonies and reconstruction of one's life story in old age; 2) Playing within the stories of others encourages playfulness, fun, flexibility and self-development along with a sense of relevance and essentiality for older adults; 3) The aging body joins the spirit, resulting in a sort of awakening, which becomes visible through the creative process; 4) A shared, group experience is created for the older participants. Based on the findings, we constructed a theoretical model that anchors the key concepts relating to the PT-O. These concepts portray guidelines for PT-O process. The model also illustrates PT-O's therapeutic value, although further research is necessary to more fully examine the efficacy of PT within the therapeutic setting in old age. Implications of these aspects to conducting PT-O are discussed.