You being on a stage matter and we see them: Research on how forum theater can help immigrants' integration process including psychosocial and physical health
Author
Takagi, Suzuha
Term
4. Semester
Publication year
2021
Submitted on
2021-05-28
Abstract
Denne afhandling undersøger, hvordan forumteater kan understøtte indvandreres integrationsproces i Danmark med særligt fokus på psykosocial og fysisk sundhed. Udgangspunktet er den interetniske, pædagogiske teatergruppe Into Action i Aarhus, som arbejder for dialogisk integration mellem danskere og indvandrere. Afhandlingen adresserer en forskningsmæssig mangel på viden om, hvordan teater som deltagende kunstform – herunder let kropslig bevægelse, kreativ fortælling og rollespil – kan bidrage til trivsel og integration. Metodisk anvendes kvalitativt design med dybdegående interviews og fænomenologisk dataanalyse. Teoretisk trækker studiet på symbolsk interaktionisme, styrkebaserede perspektiver og kultursensitivitet. De rapporterede erfaringer peger på, at deltagelse i forumteater kan fremme psykosocialt velbefindende, støtte gensidig forståelse mellem “blege” danskere og “brune” indvandrere og i nogle tilfælde lindre oplevede fysiske spændinger (fx nakkesmerter) samt styrke kommunikationen med sundhedspersonale. Fundene indikerer, at kropslig bevægelse og rollespil i teater kan være et relevant supplement til socialt arbejde med integration, men der efterlyses mere forskning til at afklare rækkevidde og generaliserbarhed.
This thesis examines how forum theatre can support immigrants’ integration in Denmark, with a particular focus on psychosocial and physical health. The study centers on Into Action, an interethnic pedagogical theatre group in Aarhus that promotes dialogical integration between Danes and immigrants. Addressing a gap in the literature, it explores how participatory theatre—with light bodily movement, creative storytelling, and role play—may contribute to well-being and integration. The research employs a qualitative design using in-depth interviews and phenomenological data analysis, and is guided by symbolic interactionism, strength-based perspectives, and cultural sensitivity. Participants’ accounts suggest that forum theatre can enhance psychosocial well-being, foster reciprocal understanding between “pale” Danes and “brown” immigrants, and, in some cases, alleviate perceived physical tension (e.g., neck pain) and improve communication with healthcare providers. These findings point to the potential of bodily movement and role play as a complementary tool in social work for integration, while underscoring the need for further research on scope and generalizability.
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