Playing the Roles of the Eating Disorder: Suggestions for the Use of Drama Therapy in Adolescent Residential Eating Disorder Treatment

Author

Olivia Cosby, Lesley UniversityFollow

Date of Award

Spring 5-21-2022

Document Type

Thesis

Degree Name

MA - Master of Arts

Department

Expressive Therapies

Advisor

Laura L. Wood

Abstract

Adolescents with eating disorders are faced with a variety of medical and psychological complications. This literature review examines these complications and the treatments available to adolescents with eating disorders, as well as factors influencing treatment resistance and dropout, specifically at the residential level of care. Additionally, the use of drama therapy as a treatment option for adolescents with eating disorders is explored. The use of role theory and role based work is proposed as a way of tackling treatment resistance in adolescents. Through role-based work, a client is given the opportunity to explore the functional aspects they attribute to their eating disorder, including but not limited to the roles of identity, control, and guardian. Further research recommendations include creating manualized versions of drama therapy for the treatment of eating disorders, additional outcome studies about residential eating disorder treatment, and an exploration of role expansions before and after treatment.

Creative Commons License

This work is licensed under a Creative Commons Attribution-Noncommercial-Share Alike 4.0 License.

Recommended Citation

Cosby, Olivia, "Playing the Roles of the Eating Disorder: Suggestions for the Use of Drama Therapy in Adolescent Residential Eating Disorder Treatment" (2022). Expressive Therapies Capstone Theses. 403.
https://digitalcommons.lesley.edu/expressive_theses/403