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Kinking the dramatherapeutic core processes: A drama therapy perspective on the positive functions of BDSM play

Title:

Kinking the dramatherapeutic core processes: A drama therapy perspective on the positive functions of BDSM play

Vriend, S.J. ORCID: https://orcid.org/0000-0002-0011-3529 (2020) Kinking the dramatherapeutic core processes: A drama therapy perspective on the positive functions of BDSM play. [Graduate Projects (Non-thesis)] (Unpublished)

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Abstract

BDSM (an acronym for bondage & discipline, dominance & submission, and sadism & masochism), also known as kink, is a term used to describe a controversial domain of human sexual expression. BDSM desires have historically been pathologized by mental health professionals and seen as indicative of mental illness, with stigmatizing and discriminatory consequences for BDSM practitioners. However, more recent research has suggested that BDSM practitioners are no more likely to be mentally ill than the general population and a number of studies have begun to note positive, even therapeutic, functions of BDSM that have been identified by its practitioners. This said, kink is still a generally under-studied topic and, while studies have described and offered some explanations for the positive functions of BDSM, kink has only very minimally been explored from a drama therapy perspective. The field of drama therapy may provide novel ways of considering the positive functions of kink, given kink’s dramatic qualities. In the field of drama therapy, core therapeutic processes of drama have been identified in order to broadly describe and explain the positive or therapeutic functions of drama therapy activities. In this paper, I explore how these therapeutic factors might operate as a lens for understanding BDSM. Thus, the central aim of the research is to illustrate and explore the fit and applicability of the dramatherapeutic core processes, originally intended to explain the positive functions of drama therapy activities, with the positive functions of BDSM. This drama therapy perspective may contribute to greater understanding of kink practices and practitioners, which could potentially support increased acceptance and understanding of this stigmatized minority.

Divisions:Concordia University > Faculty of Fine Arts > Creative Arts Therapies
Item Type:Graduate Projects (Non-thesis)
Authors:Vriend, S.J.
Institution:Concordia University
Degree Name:M.A.
Program:Creative Arts Therapies (Drama Therapy Option)
Date:29 August 2020
Keywords:Drama Therapy, BDSM, Kink, Sadomasochism
ID Code:987382
Deposited By: S.J. Vriend
Deposited On:24 Sep 2020 21:25
Last Modified:24 Sep 2020 21:25

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