eTheses
Permanent URI for this communityhttps://eresearch.qmu.ac.uk/handle/20.500.12289/7180
Please note that the login for QMU staff and students is not currently working. Please email theses@qmu.ac.uk, from your QMU email address, with details of any dissertations that you would like to access and these will be sent back to you.
This community contains an online collection of PhD theses and selected undergraduate and postgraduate dissertations written by QMU students and researchers.
PhD theses are available to be browsed, searched, read or printed by anyone interested in their content.
Undergraduate and postgraduate dissertations in are only available to be read or printed by registered QMU staff and students (login required).
Contact Us
If you have any items to add or if you have any queries or comments about this repository or its contents, please contact eResearch@qmu.ac.uk.
Click on a link below to browse or search collections.
Browse
12 results
Search Results
Item The use of dramatherapy to enhance self-perception and outlooks on the future with older persons: A systematic literature review.(Queen Margaret University, 2024) UnknownThe process of aging involves numerous challenges, changes, and losses, which may be detrimental to the mental health of older persons. Ageist attitudes further complicate older persons’ mental health concerns from not only an individual perspective, but also on a larger systemic scale, resulting in barriers to access adequate support. Dramatherapy may provide an alternative approach to current psychotherapy interventions, but evidence specifically detailing dramatherapy’s potential benefits relating to older persons’ self-perception and outlooks on the future warrant exploration and evaluation. Systematic review of literature using PRISMA 2020 guidelines was conducted December 2023 – January 2024 across seven databases and one journal. Following inclusion and exclusion criteria, sources were narrowed to a total of twelve. All relevant data was extracted and summarised providing an overview of the current research landscape in the field of dramatherapy with older persons. Although the amount of research-based literature on the subject of dramatherapy intervention with older persons is limited, a fair amount of evidence supports positive outcomes for older persons’ mental health. Particularly, participation in dramatherapy may be effective in enhancing older persons’ self-perceptions and outlooks on the future. However, a great deal of the research may not meet acceptable expectations regarding quality and robustness. Further research is necessary to substantiate current evidence before clear conclusions referring to implications and recommendations can be made to direct future research, practice, and policy.Item Dramatherapist. Clowndoctor. Person. An Interwoven Process of Becoming. Reflections on parallel journeys in Dramatherapy and Clowndoctor training, with consideration to how clowning has influenced my practice as an emerging therapist.(Queen Margaret University, 2025) UnknownThis a/r/tography autoethnographic study explores the unique experience of undertaking a dramatherapy training course alongside training and working as a professional clowndoctor. It will examine some of the parallels of these professions, and use art-based enquiry and reflective journalling to explore the impact and potential of this simultaneous training journey, both on the professional identity and skillset of the individual, and with regards to the sense of self and personhood of the practitioner. Clowning in healthcare environments has grown in visibility and reputation in recent decades, but is still a relatively unknown area of the health and wellbeing professions for most. Associations with the circus clown or garish party entertainment can colour perceptions of what is a nuanced and delicate role focused on authentic connection for the purpose of emotional healing - though there is a growing evidence base to support the value and impact of such work. Dramatherapy - offering many parallels in literature, ethos, and approach – has its own history of sitting awkwardly alongside more Westernised medical models of healing. And though an established wealth of evidence-backed theory and practice now exists, this struggle of where dramatherapy is placed within existing models remains. This research project looks at practitioner as participant, and through the lens of a clowndoctor visit structure attempts to illuminate moments of profound personal and professional growth across the timeframe of a two year MSc Dramatherapy training programme. Findings will be examined alongside concepts of personhood and becoming, and wider reflections are offered with regards to the potential implications or implementations of this work within dramatherapy training.Item The Body Knows What the Mind Can’t Yet See Dramatherapy and The Transformation of Developmental Trauma – A Systematic Review(Queen Margaret University, 2025) UnknownTrauma experienced during early relational and neurological development, can leave enduring imprints on the body, mind, and sense of self. Traditional models of intervention are often symptom focused and rely on verbal processing and cognitive insight. Such interventions may be inaccessible or insufficient for individuals whose trauma is held somatically, or whose nervous system remains dysregulated. This systematic review explores how dramatherapy—a relational, embodied, and creative form of psychotherapy—can support the transformation of developmental trauma across the lifespan. Seven peer-reviewed studies were analysed, spanning participants aged 4 to 70. Findings reveal that while dramatic play, sensory engagement, and symbolic expression can offer potent avenues for regulation and meaning-making, therapeutic outcomes are strongly influenced by the temporal distance from trauma, the client’s developmental stage, and the socio-political context in which therapy occurs. Dramatherapy emerged as particularly effective in fostering safety, attunement, and gradual integration through embodied and symbolic exploration means—especially for those unable to articulate their experiences directly. Though limited by the heterogeneity of included studies, the review highlights dramatherapy’s unique capacity to meet trauma not just where it began, but where it is still lived. It considers the case for the recognition of developmental trauma as a distinct category requiring tailored, bodyinformed interventions. Additionally, it positions dramatherapy as a uniquely versatile modality capable of working with the diverse needs of trauma experienced individuals.Item Ritual Reclamation: Exploring the role of ritual in dramatherapy for renegotiating trauma in ritual abuse survivors towards recovery(Queen Margaret University, 2024) UnknownThe use of ritual theatre models of dramatherapy in working with survivors of ritual abuse is largely undocumented and frequently limited in clinical practice. This paper focuses on a single case study which explores the role of ritual models of dramatherapy in renegotiating trauma in survivors of ritual abuse. The case study applies a phenomenological approach using narrative thematic analysis to consider the lived experience and storytelling approach of the client. Emerging themes of boundaried existence, disconnection and ‘unfurling the knot’ are highlighted. The case study examines and details how these themes emerged and how they transitioned in the recovery process of the client. Related areas of research are explored in a review of the current literature with this case study aiming to add to the field of knowledge in this specific intersection of the research. The outcomes of this study show that particularities of narrative expression through individual ritual creation, the use of aesthetic distancing as a guiding principle for intervening in trauma symptoms and the explicit use of ritual models of dramatherapy with this client population have the potential to transform ritual’s role of abuser to one of empowerment in recovery through reclamation.Item Oedipus in the City: An Autoethnographic Exploration of the Role of Image and Performative Process in Developing a Mentalizing Stance within Dramatherapy(Queen Margaret University, 2025) UnknownMentalization-Based Treatment (MBT) is a form of psychotherapy that shares similar goals with dramatherapy, particularly in fostering reflective functioning and understanding internal states. However, the intersection between MBT and dramatherapy has not yet been widely explored. In this arts-based, autoethnographic study, I investigate my lived experience as an emerging dramatherapist learning to integrate MBT principles within a practice-based learning context. Using creative tools familiar from dramatherapy — including play texts, visual imagery, performative processes, and story-making — I explored how data generated through art-making could enhance the mentalization of my developing professional identity. Through undertaking this research, I realised that consciously adapting arts-based methods to support mentalizing significantly strengthened my reflective functioning. The findings highlight a rich potential for dialogue between dramatherapy and MBT, suggesting that arts-based pathways can enrich reflective practice and professional development by integrating therapeutic creativity more intentionally into clinical frameworks.Item Exploring the Therapeutic Potential of Dramatherapy for Chronic Pain: A Case Study Analysis in a Holistic Health Environment(Queen Margaret University, 2024) UnknownChronic pain refers to persistent discomfort that lasts for an extended period of time, typically beyond three months, and which often has no obvious underlying injury. Chronic pain not only burdens the body but also inflicts substantial psychological strain, that can extend to evoke depression and anxiety. The absence of an obvious underlying injury may generate a societal stigma around chronic pain that compounds the mental health challenges, often leaving individuals feeling misunderstood and isolated. Current medical treatment of chronic pain often relies heavily on opioid medications, which can lead to dependency, tolerance, and potentially dangerous side effects. Holistic approaches and alternative therapies are not always readily accessible or prioritized. New accessible methods to treat chronic pain are urgently required. The overall aim of this project is to explore the link between mind and body in chronic pain treatment using dramatherapy. Additionally, how integrating dramatherapy as part of a 'holistic' approach affects therapeutic aims and potential has been examined. The literature on chronic pain, psychological processes, trauma, and dramatherapy interventions to inform therapeutic practice has been reviewed. A case study has been explored through clinical vignettes and analysis. Three major themes emerge that underlie the potential successful use of dramatherapy in chronic pain:- (1) Establishing client safety in a therapeutic alliance is critical to explore unconscious shamed aspects of self and to encourage a healthful relationship with pain and the body. (2) Character projection can be effective in generating self-compassion in acknowledging the grief generated by chronic pain. (3) Holistic approaches offer containment and facilitate connecting emotional life with the body. Together, these findings support the use of dramatherapy to support client’s dysregulated mind and body in chronic pain. While not immediately alleviating the pain, dramatherapy may nonetheless provide physical, emotional, and psychological support for well-being and merits further investigation.Item An exploration into what individual drama therapy offers a child presenting with developmental trauma in a Scottish primary school: a case study.(Queen Margaret University, 2024) UnknownDramatherapy is a creative form of psychotherapy and is gaining recognition as a treatment for children and young people. However, less is known about the influences of dramatherapy on children presenting with developmental trauma (DT), particularly at school-age level. This study explored the influences of dramatherapy on a child presenting with developmental trauma (DT) in a Scottish primary school. Developmental trauma is a term used to describe the impact of early repeated trauma and loss caused by abuse or neglect. DT in children may affect their emotional, cognitive behavioural and relational abilities. In schools, DT results in children who may be disruptive, aggressive, and disengaged. The challenging behaviour of children affected by DT impacts pupils and staff. Through critical reflection on an individual case study and the use of hermeneutic phenomenology, this project found that within the dramatherapy space the use of dramatic processes equipped the child with the tools to selfregulate, feel safe and reveal parts of his lifeworld. The unconditional positive regard and acceptance from the therapist builds trust and creates the enabling conditions that influence the effectiveness of therapy. The study acknowledges the necessity of the dramatherapist being part of the integrated system of support that surrounds a child and explores how the effectiveness of the therapy is impacted if holistic support is missing. The findings of this case study add to the growing body of research that dramatherapy has significant benefits for children struggling with the consequences of DT. It highlights the advantages of dramatherapy in school settings, which is yet to be a regular practice within Scottish schools.Item Barriers behind Bars: An exploration of the obstacles and limitations faced by a trainee Dramatherapist in their Dramatherapy Practice while working within a Scottish maximum security prison.(Queen Margaret University, 2024) UnknownThis study examines the experiences of a trainee Dramatherapist through their experiential learning journey, within a Scottish maximum-security prison. Through a phenomenological and critically reflective approach, the study delves into the trainee's journey, analysing the challenges, limitations and opportunities for growth encountered. The study sheds light on the psychological processes within the work and their impact on the trainee's professional development. The research aims to contribute to a deeper understanding of the practice of Dramatherapy within forensic settings and provide insights for practitioners navigating similar contexts.Item Transience, transition, temporality and trauma: How can Dramatherapy support the homeless women’s population through use of aesthetic distance and the concept of the ‘magic bridge’? A Narrative literature review.(Queen Margaret University, 2024) UnknownThis narrative literature review explores the possibilities of Dramatherapy within the population of women experiencing homelessness with specific reference to aesthetic distance and the magic bridge from the Sesame approach. Reflexive thematic analysis was used in the main to analyse the literature, but the author accepts that autoethnography is also present in the approach. There is currently little if any research in this area, so this study examines the literature around 3 broad areas: Dramatherapy with adjacent groups such as women who have experienced trauma, other types of therapies with women experiencing homelessness and women and homelessness – social policy, practice and a gendered approach. The study considers the uses of Dramatherapy and explores its possibilities and potential with women experiencing homelessness and its hypothesised efficacy. The findings are presented using 4 key researcher identified themes from the literature: A Gendered Approach, Therapist Attributes, Body as Home: Creative Arts Therapies as Shelter and The Therapeutic Group. They can be viewed through the larger frame in 2 broader areas of Groundwork and Process. The study points to the assumption that Dramatherapy specifically using aesthetic distance and the magic bridge could be useful with this population so long as a trauma informed, gender based and client led approach be taken.Item Dramatic metaphor as a revelatory bridge for the untruthful or masking client: a narrative literature review(Queen Margaret University, 2025) UnknownClients often lie to their therapists or engage in inauthentic behaviour. Many autistic clients engage in “masking” behaviour. Lying and inauthentic behaviour on the part of the client is damaging to the therapeutic alliance and to case conceptualisation in non-arts based psychotherapy. In dramatherapy, where fantasy and pretend are used during therapeutic engagement, this may not be the case. The use of dramatic mask has potential dramatherapeutic applications for the process of “unmasking” for autistic clients. “Knowing the truth” about a client should not be the therapeutic goal. The role of the therapist in containment is to tolerate ambiguity about the client’s experience. A dramatic model of identity and role performance, combined with an understanding of psychodynamic defense mechanisms, can help dramatherapists tolerate ambiguity and maintain therapeutic alliances with clients who may be lying. Acts that occur in the dramatherapy setting may be considered to be inherently self-revelatory. Metaphor can act as a bridge between dramatherapist and client. Some lies are of metaphorical significance, and inquiring after their function for the client may be revealing.