Swami, Viren and Punshon, Sarah and Paul, Toni-Dee (2022) Promoting Positive Body Image in Children Through Theatre: An Evaluation of Cinderella: the AWESOME Truth. Body Image, 42. pp. 50-57. ISSN 1873-6807
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Accepted Version Restricted to Repository staff only until 2 December 2023. Available under the following license: Creative Commons Attribution Non-commercial No Derivatives. Download (1MB) | Request a copy |
Abstract
Cinderella: the AWESOME Truth is a children’s theatrical production developed with the aim of promoting positive body image and improved self-image. As part of the production’s initial run at the Polka Theatre in London, United Kingdom, we conducted an evaluation of the show’s efficacy at improving state positive body image and self-image. Using a single-arm design, we recruited 54 girls and 45 boys between the ages of 5 and 9 years attending a performance of Cinderella with their parents/caregivers, and asked them to complete an adapted measure of state body appreciation at pre- and post-attendance. Participants were also asked to complete open-ended questions about their own uniqueness and awesomeness – two central themes of the production – at both time-points, and their enjoyment of the show at post-attendance. Results indicated that attending the performance improved state body appreciation, self-perceived uniqueness, and self-perceived awesomeness, with small-to-moderate effects. These results were consistent across girls and boys, and enjoyment of the performance was near universally high. Despite limitations – including the lack of a control group and the constrained assessment period – these results suggest that tailored children’s theatre may be a viable method of promoting positive body image in young age groups.
Item Type: | Journal Article |
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Keywords: | Positive body image, Children, Theatre, Body appreciation, Uniqueness, Cinderella |
Faculty: | Faculty of Science & Engineering |
SWORD Depositor: | Symplectic User |
Depositing User: | Symplectic User |
Date Deposited: | 23 May 2022 09:37 |
Last Modified: | 14 Jun 2022 09:23 |
URI: | https://arro.anglia.ac.uk/id/eprint/707617 |
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