Abstract
Psychodrama is a systematic re-living conducted through utilizing spontaneous theater. This research aims to reveal the use of psychodrama in social work. Within the scope of the study, the research was carried out using the literature review method based on the following question framework: How and in which areas psychodrama is used in social work? As a result of the study, it has been found that psychodrama has an improving role in professional practice skills of the social workers along with the restorative and educative role for themselves. On the other hand, as for welfare recipients, it helps them to become self-sufficient. In this sense, it has been concluded that while psychodrama plays a therapeutic role for the individuals in need of social service, it will be effective for the social workers to overcome the potential difficulties and burnouts they may face in their inner worlds.
TopResearch Methodology
The fact that social work is a profession brings along the requirement for social workers to be educated people with scientific perspectives. With the human-centered approach, enhancing and enriching techniques are to be applied for understanding the human and solving the problems as well. Psychodrama is also one of the most effective methods that support health and human development and that can be used in social work. The basic question in this study is formed upon finding out in which areas of social work psychodrama can be used. In an attempt to find a solution to this problem, first the conceptual framework was discussed then the studies on the use of psychodrama in social work were dealt. In literature, such kind of research is presented as review. Reviews are carried out in three categories. Traditional reviews are those in which two or more studies published on a particular subject are examined and the findings, results and the evaluations are synthesized. Systematic reviews are to identify which studies will be included in the review by scanning the all relevant research published with the purpose of finding a solution for the problem and to synthesize the obtained findings accordingly. Meta-analysis reviews, on the other hand, are a statistical method applied to combine research findings that are systematically involved in the review (Karaçam, 2013: 27).
The research was conducted with the traditional literature review. Almost all the literature reviews in our country are traditional reviews. Traditional literature review synthesizes findings, results and evaluations by examining two or more studies published on a particular subject. This method is a kind of research article reviewing the data obtained from different sources in different ways.
The Research question has been identified as “In which areas and how is psychodrama used in social work?” On the basis of this question and considering the question component, except for social work, studies on the other scientific disciplines in which psychodrama is used have been excluded from the scope. The aim of this review is formed upon this question. Within the framework of this question, a search strategy with key words was implemented.
Key Terms in this Chapter
Psychodrama: A kind of psychotherapy method encouraging individuals having social or psychological problems to relive their memories or problems in their lives in a psychodrama stage rather than talking about them.
Treatment: Finding the factors to overcome a disease and relieving the patient's distress.
Client: Someone demanding social service due to his problems and needs.
Substance Abuse: Use of substances having negative effects on bodily functions and the failure in quitting them despite the observed harm.
Social Work: A practice-based discipline that supports the strengthening and the liberation of individuals to enable them cope with the difficulties of life and improve their well-being.
Group Therapy: A kind of therapy performed with a group on a specific purpose accompanied by a trained leader along with the other clients facing similar problems.
Protagonist: The first person, the leading or main character to get into action or to struggle.
Psychodramatist: A theatrical producer or a group leader helping the person that seeks help.
Therapy: A set of planned treatments with the purpose of reducing and eliminating the psychological and behavioral disorders as well as the negative attitudes of individuals.
Mutual Dependence: A state of controlling behaviors of other people, not allowing the ordinary course of events/situations, ignoring one’s own needs to meet the needs of others and not expressing his own feelings sufficiently.
Drama: A kind of narration based on a fictional work and performed through theatrical techniques.