Reflection and Refraction—The Dimpled Mirror of Process Drama: How Process Drama Assists People to Reflect on Their Attitudes and Behaviors Associated With Mental Illness

The labelling effect: drama, mental health and learning disability

“…However, research into the impact of the arts on mental health stigmatisation is a relatively new concept. With the exception of Theodore Stickley (2007) and Peter O'Connor (2003), more research needs to occur to move towards a more sustainable collaboration between arts and mental health experts in exploring alternatives to anti-stigmatising practices.…”

Forum Theatre and Parables: A Qualitative Field Experiment in a Seventh-Day Adventist Academy

“…Like Freire (1970), the philosophies call for relationship building through dialogue as a key component to successful teaching and learning. O'Connor (2007) points out that process drama (FT is a type of process drama) does not simply reflect human experiences, it refracts them, at times showing distorted or different images than those held. O'Connor states, ''Refraction also alludes to the ability of process drama to bend light into places that have been well hidden to reveal new and often quite startling discoveries'' (p. 8).…”

“…The author found many commonalities between theories espoused by Boal (2000Boal ( , 2006, Freire (1970), and those of SDA education. O'Connor's (2007) concept of refraction presented an understanding of how FT presents opportunities for looking freshly at familiar ideas and concepts. Boal (2000Boal ( , 2006 describes learning as a collective and collaborative process in which all participants actively dialogue with one another to critically consider the world around them.…”

Process drama and sex education: Advocating for drama-based components of adolescent health initiatives

“…Process drama is well designed to deal with difficult issues, as it seeks ambiguity and tends to problematize rather than resolve difficult subjects (O'Connor 2007). While some might find this method incompatible with the clear messaging required of sex education, it is important to problematize issues of sexuality tied into sexual behaviour, for instance, peer norms around sexuality related to gender.…”

“…Process drama has been used to tackle a range of social issues. O'Connor (2007) used process drama to combat stigma and discrimination attached to mental illness. O'Connor found that participants experienced the drama both on a personal and a symbolic level, reaching a sense of humanity if not universality (2007: 5).…”