The Effect Of Docudrama Films On Psychological Distress Among Urban Women Refugees In Nairobi County, Kenya.

ABSTRACT

The study sought to investigate how docudrama film could be used as a psychotherapeutic tool among traumatized women refugees. The objectives of the study were: to establish the levels of psychological distress, establish whether cinematic techniques affect psychological distress, and investigate the effectiveness of docudrama films on the levels of psychological distress among urban women refugees. The study employed mixed method research design which covered both qualitative and quantitative approaches. A population of 48 participants was purposively sampled for this study. Participatory action approach, observation and Interview methods were used in data collection. The study used questionnaires, psychological distress scale, Beck‟s depression inventory, interview guide, observation guide and content analysis guide as research instruments. Paired T-test was conducted in order to establish the significance of relationship between the two groups. The major findings resulting from the analysis show that cinematic techniques and enactment greatly play a role in reducing psychological distress levels as well depression. Also, the study establishes that docudrama films help to reduce both psychological distress and depression levels among female refugees. Consequently, the study concludes that protagonists, if portrayed positively, help the viewers recover from their psychological distress and depression. It also concludes that cinematography techniques hold healing and therapeutic value if utilized in psychosocial supportive environment. In its recommendations, the study points towards further research on using docudrama film on male refugees and use of other genre of films, besides docudrama, as a therapeutic tool on traumatized groups. The study also recommends use of comparative analysis to determine how film impacts differently on other groups of refugees like Somalis and those who stay in camps. On the industry, it further recommends film to be used together with other traditional methods in helping recover traumatized refugees. Finally, it recommends that film makers and institutions offering film studies should train their students‟ crew on the correct choice of cinematography when making docudramas meant for therapeutic use.