Theater-Based Interventions in Social Skills in Mental Health Care and Treatment for People with Autism Spectrum Disorder: A Systematic Review

Abstract

This study is intended to determine, from a systematic review, the importance and effectiveness of different interventions aimed at improving social skills in people with autism spectrum disorder (ASD) through theatrical techniques. For this purpose, a systematic review of the literature published from 2011 to 2021 in the ERIC, Web of Science, EuropePMC, PubPsych, Índices-Csic, Redalyc, Roderic, Scopus, PubMed, Scielo, and Dialnet databases was carried out, and a total of 29 articles were reviewed. The results indicate an improvement in socioemotional functioning, self-esteem, emotion management, empathy and listening, communication and social interaction, adaptive skills, as well as an increase in body awareness in people with ASD. It can be concluded that theater creates a safe environment in which people with ASD can engage with their own emotions and those of others, thereby offering a therapeutic setting in which to promote mental health in different aspects of both prevention and treatment.