Left / Write // Hook: A mixed method study of a writing and boxing workshop for survivors of childhood sexual abuse and trauma

Abstract

This article investigates how the combination of writing therapy and embodied empowerment, explored through the physical sport of non-contact boxing, can facilitate the recovery journeys of women survivors of childhood sexual abuse (CSA) and their move towards post-traumatic growth. It uses established quantitative psychological measurements and qualitative analytical approaches to examine the impact of an eight-week boxing and writing workshop for female survivors of CSA, called Left/Write//Hook (LWH), on participants' recovery journeys. The hypothesis was that the LWH workshops would contribute to participants' recovery and wellbeing. The article reports on the pilot study of the workshops as one aspect of an ongoing research project around LWH which uses concurrent, triangulation mixed methods design to gather and analyze qualitative audio-visual and creative-writing data produced by the women, alongside quantitative psychological assessment data. The findings of qualitative analyses of the participants' creative writing and the quantitative psychological assessments of the impact of the LWH workshops on participants' assertiveness, post-traumatic stress disorder symptoms, wellbeing, depression, anxiety and stress, along with preliminary findings of filmed material are presented and discussed in this article. The findings supported the hypothesis that the LWH workshops helped facilitate participants' recovery journeys and supported their wellbeing. This article offers preliminary support for the argument that the dual approach of written/verbal and embodied creativity can enhance the wellbeing of survivors of sexual abuse and trauma.

Boxing as an Intervention in Mental Health: A Scoping Review

“…Majority of the articles studied an adult population (69%) with a few using youth (19%) and two with seniors with Parkinson's Disease (13%). The study population varied from general population, to those with mental health difficulties, 11 to participants with substance use disorder, 21 women who've experienced trauma, [22][23][24] males conformed to masculine norms, 25 inpatients treatment resistant schizophrenia or MDD, 20 Parkinson's Disease, 26,27 obese youth, 28,29 university students 30 and marginalized youth. 31…”

“…11,32 Having an experienced boxing coach made participants feel safe and cared for while simultaneously increasing their confidence and selfagency. 11,[22][23][24][25]33 There were a few multifaceted, larger community programs that provided psychosocial support in addition to boxing such as aide with transportation, nutritional education, food, psychological strategies, career advice and mentorship. [22][23][24]26,31,33…”

writing + boxing = Left / Write // Hook

“…After the mixed methods research project wrapped up at the end of round one, the effects of the program were analysed. This included reviewing and reporting on the writings, psychological wellbeing, and audio-visual data (see Lyon et al, 2020). The results proved the program's efficacy on the mental health and wellbeing of the participants.…”

“…The funding brought together mixed methods research combining quantitative psychological data with qualitative audio-visual and creative writing data to assess the program's efficacy. The findings of these sources affirmed a reduction in PTSD, depression, and stress, and an increase in personal agency and wellbeing (Lyon et al, 2020).…”

“…Eight participants were involved in the study and the research intervention ended after the first eight-week program. An analysis of writings from all participants has been previously analysed and reported in another journal article (Lyon et al, 2020). The group decided to continue online (due to with the intention of working together on a curated book to publish their writings.…”