The Evolution of Court Dramas and Folk Operas in Ancient China: An Analysis of Stress Reduction and Mental Health Adjustment Functions
Wenchao DengAbstract
Objective
Traditional opera bears distinctive emotional regulatory functions to ease public psychological stress and improve suboptimal mental wellness. Contemporary populations commonly suffer from chronic anxiety and emotional disturbance, severely impairing overall mental health. This research investigates the evolving features of Chinese ancient court opera and the inheritance logic of folk opera’s emotional connotation to explore its practical value in mitigating stress and stabilizing mental conditions.
Subjects and Methods
Using literature collation, textual analysis and comparative study, this research selects classical Chinese ancient court and folk opera texts as research objects, sorts out their inherent emotional implications, and further explores the intrinsic correlation between opera inheritance and stress relief as well as positive mental cultivation.
Results
Ancient court opera features normative, uplifting emotional orientations, whereas folk opera retains authentic grassroots emotional expressions. Their passed-down emotional connotations help release inner psychological tension, reduce accumulated negative feelings, regulate chaotic mental status and supply positive spiritual nutrition for mental health promotion.
Conclusions
The evolution and successive inheritance of emotional connotation in ancient Chinese opera constitute a mature spiritual adjustment system. Inheriting such opera resources can effectively relieve modern residents’ psychological pressure, stabilize volatile mental states and enrich cultural life, offering a traditional cultural pathway to facilitate public mental health development.
Acknowledgement
This work was supported by Supported by “the Fundamental Research Funds for the Central Universities”, Southwest Minzu University (2026SYJSCX109).
Corresponding Author
Wenchao Deng, Southwest Minzu University, Chengdu 610041, China.