SCREENED REALITIES: A QUALITATIVE LIBRARY ANALYSIS OF PAKISTANI DRAMAS, CULTURAL TRANSMISSION, AND THEIR PSYCHOLOGICAL IMPACT ON BEHAVIOR AND MENTAL HEALTH

Abstract

Pakistani television dramas play an important role in the cultural and psychological landscape of society, serving not only as entertainment but also as potent agents of socialization. This qualitative library-based study looks at the historical evolution of Pakistani dramas, their role in establishing cultural values, and their psychological effects on behavior, identity formation, and mental health. The project uses thematic analysis of secondary literature written between 2015 and 2026 to investigate portrayals of gender roles, family dynamics, interpersonal interactions, and mental health. The communal nature of television viewing in Pakistani households is highlighted, with families frequently watching programs together to reinforce shared meanings and emotional bonds. The findings show that, whereas traditional dramas promoted social cohesion and moral development, contemporary productions increasingly emphasize sensationalism driven by rating competition, often normalizing toxic behaviors and misrepresenting psychological conditions such as depression and anxiety disorder. The study focuses on dramas' positive and negative psychological impacts, emphasizing their dual function in cultural continuity and distortion. The implications for media control, psychological practice, and cultural reform are addressed