Empirical studies in the creative arts therapies (CATs; i.e., art therapy, dance/movement therapy, drama therapy, music therapy, psychodrama, and poetry/bibliotherapy) have grown rapidly in the last ...10 years, documenting their positive impact on a wide range of psychological and physiological outcomes (e.g., stress, trauma, depression, anxiety, and pain). However, it remains unclear
how
and
why
the CATs have positive effects, and which therapeutic factors account for these changes. Research that specifically focuses on the therapeutic factors and/or mechanisms of change in CATs is only beginning to emerge. To gain more insight into how and why the CATs influence outcomes, we conducted a scoping review (
N
studies
= 67) to pinpoint therapeutic factors specific to each CATs discipline, joint factors of CATs, and more generic common factors across all psychotherapy approaches. This review therefore provides an overview of empirical CATs studies dealing with therapeutic factors and/or mechanisms of change, and a detailed analysis of these therapeutic factors which are grouped into domains. A framework of 19 domains of CATs therapeutic factors is proposed, of which the three domains are composed solely of factors unique to the CATs: “embodiment,” “concretization,” and “symbolism and metaphors.” The terminology used in change process research is clarified, and the implications for future research, clinical practice, and CATs education are discussed.
Operations Desert Shield and Storm occurred over 30 years ago, yet many of those who were deployed continue to experience chronic and debilitating symptoms, now recognized as Gulf War Illness (GWI). ...While efforts have been made to explore clinical treatments for GWI, misperceptions and skepticism about its complex nature and a lack of consensus on its etiology impede progress in this area. A critical necessity remains to better understand the experiences, needs, and concerns of veterans with GWI. In this qualitative research study, 40 Gulf War veterans were interviewed about their perceptions regarding symptoms of physical health, cognitive functioning, quality of life, and the quality of care received. In addition, they depicted their experiences through an artistic elicitation collage. Through a grounded theory method, key findings indicated that there are remaining hurdles, such as challenging symptoms, persisting unknowns about the illness, and variations in treatment quality. Veterans have mostly managed and coped with GWI, but they voice the need for acknowledgment and support. The main implication from this study is the significance of both clinical and institutional validation and recognition of the GWI experience as well as the need for specific support systems.
Post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD) is a heterogeneous condition that affects many civilians and military service members. Lack of engagement, high dropout rate, and variable response to ...psychotherapy necessitates more compelling and accessible treatment options that are based on sound neuroscientific evidence-informed decision-making. Art therapy incorporates elements proven to be effective in psychotherapy, such as exposure, making it a potentially valuable treatment option. This conceptual paper aims to inform the neurophysiological rationale for the use of art therapy as a therapeutic approach for individuals with PTSD. A narrative synthesis was conducted using literature review of empirical research on the neurophysiological effects of art therapy, with supporting literature on neuroaesthetics and psychotherapies to identify art therapy factors most pertinent for PTSD. Findings were synthesized through a proposed framework based on the triple network model considering the network-based dysfunctions due to PTSD. Art therapy's active components, such as concretization and metaphor, active art engagement, emotion processing and regulation, perspective taking and reframing, and therapeutic alliance, may improve symptoms of PTSD and prompt adaptive brain functioning. Given the scarcity of rigorous studies on art therapy's effectiveness and mechanisms of alleviating PTSD symptoms, the suggested framework offers a neurophysiological rationale and a future research agenda to investigate the impact of art therapy as a therapeutic approach for individuals with PTSD.
Introduction Studies suggest a relationship between the emotional evocativeness of visual imagery and viewer responses, however, there is limited understanding of these associations, especially as ...they relate to viewers’ personal experiences of adversities. Methods In this exploratory study, we examined the relationship between the visual content of mask images and viewers’ responses. In an online survey 699 participants (of n = 1,010 total initial participants) rated 98 masks based on valence, arousal, and personal relevance and completed the Life Events Checklist. The masks included those created by service members (SMs) with traumatic brain injury (TBI), and post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD), depicting physical, psychological, and moral injuries and matched neutral masks created by creative arts therapists and arts in health scholars. Findings The findings indicated that responses to mask image content (traumatic versus neutral) were associated with viewers’ personal history of adversity and trauma. Specifically, images representing injury/trauma provoked stronger reactions on valence and arousal than neutral images. Moreover, participants with personal histories of trauma had heightened emotional responses to distressing imagery. Discussion These findings have implications for art therapists as well as for clinical and general populations in that these results highlight the potential impact of distressing imagery particularly for individuals with personal histories of experiencing or witnessing traumatic events.
•Art therapy conceptual framework for 3 stages of burn treatment- critical, acute, and rehabilitation is presented.•Framework is based on narrative synthesis of research on psychosocial needs of ...burn-injured children and art therapy.•Art therapy can support pediatric burn recovery as a psychosocial intervention for short-term and long-term goals.
Burn injuries are an unexpected traumatic event and can be physically and emotionally devastating for a child and their families. This article presents a conceptual framework for art therapy practice with pediatric burns, founded on the three stages of burn treatment- critical, acute, and rehabilitation. The framework is based on narrative synthesis of research on the psychosocial needs of children with burn injuries, art therapy literature on pediatric burn patients, as well as in medical settings. Based on the stages of burn recovery, and the role of other relevant stakeholders, the framework provides recommendations for clinical practice of art therapy with children sustaining burn injuries, their caregivers and siblings, and healthcare providers. Robust studies including art therapy as interventions are recommended to determine their effectiveness in addressing the specific psychosocial needs in different stages of pediatric burn care.
There is a growing interest in understanding how individuals with autism spectrum disorder (ASD) experience empathy to explore their social-emotional and communication impairments. Although there has ...been considerable research into autism and cognitive empathy, research into emotional empathy is scarce, and there is less on the impact of teaching social skills. This study explores the use of art therapy with puppet making and puppetry using the Expressive Therapies Continuum (Kagin & Lusebrink,
1978
) to promote emotional empathy in individuals with ASD within the larger goal of addressing socialization.
A cross-cultural mentoring dyad that emerges from a more internally motivated, non-obligatory relationship has the potential to co-evolve into a collaborative awareness of diverse educational ...experiences, cultural perspectives, and critical examinations. We present our rationale and benefits for a successful mentoring foundation built on trust that was first initiated to discuss shared experiences of working with profoundly challenging forensic populations. The value of converging and diverging viewpoints between us, further informing a deeper examination and reflections on our own identities and dynamics of power, eventually evolved into a goal-focused endeavor such as writing and publishing. Ultimately, we emphasize the value of mentoring within and for the art therapy community, particularly to amplify diverse connections and learning, one relationship at a time.
•Cross-cultural mentoring built on trust facilitates collaborative awareness.•Mentoring allows open and critical dialog on identities, theories, and approaches.•It can evolve into a goal-focused endeavor such as writing and publishing.•Sustaining mentoring can amplify connections and learning for both parties.
There is limited research on the health implications of Indigenous and traditional art practices. This study investigated the therapeutic value and meaning of these practices and their use in art ...therapy. Twenty-one art therapists who identified as belonging to or working closely with a culturally diverse or Indigenous community provided insights about the use of traditional art practices in therapy or their own artmaking. Through grounded theory methodology, we developed a framework to identify therapeutic potentials, individual and community benefits and risks of involving culturally significant art practices in art therapy. Results suggested that Indigenous and traditional art practices are embedded in the culture and land they emerge from. These practices are considered familiar if the client has learned them from older generations which can lead to increased cultural pride and reclaiming cultural identity. Certain art practices and art forms have specific therapeutic qualities that can be used with a larger population. Our findings led to the development of an emerging ecological model of Indigenous and traditional art practices. The model suggests that the individual, family, community, and culture are deeply interlinked. When using traditional and Indigenous arts in art therapy, we suggest art therapists to consider this ecological model and make ethical choices to avoid appropriation.
•Indigenous and traditional art practices are embedded in the culture and the land•Such practices can lead to increased cultural pride and promote cultural identity.•The model of Indigenous and traditional arts suggests that the individual, family, community, and culture are interlinked.•Considering this ecological model and making ethical choices to avoid appropriation is recommended.
In this article, we provide an overview of the literature on contributions of art making and medical art therapy for patients with burn injuries. The potential value of art therapy in addressing the ...complex physical and psychosocial needs of burn patients is discussed through examination of 7 peer-reviewed articles. Two case examples of burn survivors, 1 pediatric and 1 adult, are included to demonstrate the use of art therapy in an inpatient and outpatient setting, respectively. Art therapy and other intervention strategies for overall psychosocial adjustment of burn patients are often underutilized. Further research in art therapy is needed to examine the psychosocial aspects of burns patients and the potential role that medical art therapy may have in a burn care center.
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•Qualitative interviews of health care providers on pediatric hem/onc units.•Art therapists are highly valued members of the medical and psychosocial team.•Art therapy is ...developmentally apt and provides patient support in medical treatment.•Art therapy supports caregivers, siblings and medical providers and staff.•The perception of what an art therapist does in med care was still limited.
Attending to the psychosocial needs of pediatric patients, families and health care providers (HCPs) is critical to the delivery of personalized medical care. Art therapy in this context has been found to be a source of holistic psychosocial support for pediatric hematology and oncology care.
Interviews of 21 HCPs in the United States were conducted to assess the impact and contributions of art therapy in pediatric hematology/oncology. HCPs were unanimously supportive of art therapy, reporting it being impactful to the patients, caregivers and providers, and the hospital setting. They noted that it provides a visual voice to the patient experience and creates a unifying, child and family centered space of normalcy and connection. The art therapist is seen as a vital part of the medical team, through their insights and support across the spectrum of hem/onc care. The high demands on art therapists and limited understanding of the scope of clinical practice are challenges that were identified.
Art therapy supports the psychological needs of pediatric patients, families, and HCPs and may be an invaluable part of pediatric medical teams for assessment and support. Further education, research and understanding of the contributions of ATs in medical settings could help advance their roles in these contexts.
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