Date of Award

Spring 5-17-2025

Document Type

Thesis

Degree Name

Master of Arts in Clinical Mental Health Counseling

Major

Expressive Therapies

First Advisor

Chyela Rowe, PhD, RDT/BCT

Abstract

The following literature review will review current research surrounding military-connected adolescents mental health and the viability of utilizing drama therapy as a school-based intervention to improve their mental health. Military-connected adolescents are an invisible minority who experience a unique set of stressors. This population experiences frequent relocation, parental deployment, and the impact living this way can have on the entire family. The current research shows that military-connected adolescents are more likely than their civilian peers to experience mental health challenges, including depression and anxiety. School-based therapeutic interventions have been shown to help decrease symptoms. School-based interventions allow for the therapist to meet with adolescents where they spend the majority of their week and decrease potential concerns with outside therapy. Research in drama therapy has shown that it can be positively impactful for adolescents in a school setting. The impact of drama therapy on military-connected adolescents has not been researched, but there has been success with related populations. Both individual contract drama therapists and different drama therapy programs have been used in school settings to support adolescents. The current research on school-based drama therapy can be adapted to be used with a military-connected adolescent population; however, research implementing drama therapy as a school-based intervention is needed to understand how can be used as an effective intervention for military-connected adolescents.

Creative Commons License

Creative Commons Attribution-No Derivative Works 4.0 License
This work is licensed under a Creative Commons Attribution-No Derivative Works 4.0 License.

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