Raising self-esteem through drama : the experience of persons with a dyslexic profile

Abstract

This study investigates the experience of persons with a dyslexic profile in drama. The literature review presents relations between drama and self-esteem, dyslexia and selfesteem and drama and dyslexia. Qualitative data was collected through semi-structured interviews with four dyslexic persons of various ages. The interviews were analysed using Interpretative Phenomenological Analysis (IPA). Results indicate that dyslexic students tend to experience low self-esteem in the school setting due to procedures that disadvantage their learning profiles. This contrasts with their experience in drama settings. Drama was found to have a therapeutic effect on the participants of this study as well as positively affected their self-confidence. Being self-confident in facing fears and challenges is of central significance to the self-esteem.