Positive psychodrama: A framework for practice and research

Abstract

In the last two decades, positive psychology researchers have been studying the factors that promote well-being and optimal functioning to help individuals and communities thrive and flourish. This article introduces positive psychodrama as a framework for practice and research that builds on a sustainable and growing body of research indicating that a complete notion of mental health consists not only of the absence of mental illness symptoms but also the presence of mental health indicators. I address the question of how does psychodrama look through the lens of positive psychology. After an overview of psychodrama background and research, positive concepts in J. L. Moreno’s psychodrama theory and philosophy are revisited and linked to contemporary positive psychology literature. Empirically-supported positive psychology interventions are also reviewed and examples of positive psychodrama activities are presented. Psychodrama therapists and researchers are encouraged to focus not only on decreasing mental illness but also on improving mental health, thereby contributing to the growing body of literature on this topic.