Promoting Kindness Through the Positive Theatrical Arts: Assessing Kuwait’s Boomerang Programme

Louise Lambert, Mohsen Joshanloo, Meg A. Warren, Kayla Christiani, Tim Lomas, Brettjet Cody, Intisar Al Sabah, Ali El Chalabi, Gaya Kruchlik

Research output: Contribution to journalArticlepeer-review

Abstract

As the field of positive psychology aims to build and strengthen the well-being of individuals, its repertoire of empirically validated strategies designed to do so is growing. Kuwait’s “Boomerang” anti-bullying theatre programme designed to increase social kindness in schools is an example. The tools of applied theatre were taught to facilitators, who in turn trained seven to ten students who were real-life bullies, victims, and bystanders across seven Kuwaiti schools to become actors in each institution’s culminating theatre play. Participating acting students and audience members were assessed to determine the effects of the programme. Results showed that their perceptions of social cohesion and trust, a positive school climate, and life satisfaction improved. Implications for student well-being are discussed, alongside the broader use of the positive arts, an emerging area of positive psychology.

Original languageEnglish
Pages (from-to)101-113
Number of pages13
JournalPsychological Studies
Volume68
Issue number1
DOIs
Publication statusPublished - Mar 2023

Keywords

  • Bullying
  • Empathy
  • Kindness
  • Positive arts
  • Theatre
  • Well-being

ASJC Scopus subject areas

  • Psychology(all)

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