The Effect of a Mime Group on Chronic Adult Psychiatric Clients' Body-Image, Self-Esteem, and Movement-Concept

Abstract

A conceptual model of mime, as a therapeutic group activity, was dcsigned for this study. This model was based on May's (1958) description of three modes of world which characterize the existence of an individual. Eighteen chronic, adult psychiatric clients of a community-based day program met selection criteria for this study. Small mime groups were conducted by the researcher and pre- and post-testing was administered by the facility's staff occupational therapist. Assessment tools consisted of the human figure drawing, the Rosenberg Self-Esteem Scale and a movement-concept scale. Inter-rater reliability between the two raters ol the Goodenough rating scale were established for major body parts (.99, p S .05) and for body proportions (.93, p < .05). Results of matched pair t-tests (gain score analysis technique) indicated that only body-image as reflected by human figure'drawings in regard to proportionality was found to be significantly influenced by mime. Qualitative data related to structural and graphic characteristics revealed changes from pre- to post-figure drawings. Clinical observations made during the mime groups were noted. The significant finding of this investigation suggests the potential benefit of mime as a therapeutic activity.