CHICAGO, Dec. 15 (Xinhua) -- Improvisational theater training can reduce fearfulness and anxiety among teens struggling with social interactions, a University of Michigan (UM) study suggests.

For the study, nearly 270 Detroit high school and middle school students participated in a 10-week school improvisational theater program offered by The Detroit Creativity Project.

The students completed questionnaires before and after the program, allowing them to assess statements such as, "I am comfortable performing for others" and "I am willing to make mistakes."

"These findings show that reductions in social anxiety were related to increased confidence in social skills, ability to figure out how to achieve goals and take action to do so, creative ability and greater willingness to make mistakes," said co-author Colleen Seifert, professor of psychology.

While participating in improv can enhance a student's well-being and reduce their anxiety, "the mutual support that improvisation rewards builds trust, helping group members feel safer taking risks and more willing to make mistakes," says lead author Peter Felsman, a graduate student in social work and psychology at NU.

This is the first study to examine whether improvisational training can be linked to reduced social anxiety in a school setting, and the findings may contribute to research on therapies for mental health.

The study has been published in The Arts in Psychotherapy. Enditem

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