Psychological Distress and It’s Relation with the Symptoms of Depression Among Palestinian Theater Actors After the End of the Theater Project

Abstract

This study investigates the level of psychological distress and depressive symptoms among Palestinian theater actors following the conclusion of a theater project. It also explores the impact of variables such as gender, work experience, and marital status, and examines the relationship between psychological distress and depressive symptoms. Two standardized tools were used: one measuring psychological distress and the other assessing depressive symptoms. The sample included 158 actors, selected based on Steven Thompson’s sampling formula. Results revealed that the overall level of psychological distress among the participants was moderate (M = 2.43), while the level of depressive symptoms was low (M = 11.56). No statistically significant differences were found in psychological distress scores by gender or work experience. However, marital status showed significant influence, with single and divorced/widowed participants reporting higher distress than married ones. In terms of depressive symptoms, no differences emerged based on work experience, but gender and marital status played a significant role. Females reported higher depressive symptoms than males, and single and divorced/widowed individuals showed more symptoms compared to married participants. Furthermore, the study found a strong, statistically significant positive correlation (r = .809, p≤.05) between psychological distress and depressive symptoms, indicating that an increase in distress is associated with higher levels of depression. Based on these findings, the study recommends: 1. Developing structured psychological support programs to help actors cope with emotional loss and psychological challenges after project completion. 2. Integrating theater into psychological counseling as a creative, non-directive tool to support emotional expression and reduce depressive symptoms. These recommendations highlight the need for mental health interventions tailored to the unique emotional demands of theater professionals, particularly after the conclusion of intense creative experiences.