‘Painting a path to wellness’: correlations between participating in a creative activity group and improved measured mental health outcome

Abstract

Responding to a call for quantitative outcome evidence about the therapeutic relationship between creative activity and mental health, this study examined the mental health outcomes of inpatients participating in art- and craft-based creative therapies at a private psychiatric hospital over a 5-year period. The creative activity group sample (n= 403) improved from admission to discharge across four different psychometric measures with moderate to strong mean effect sizes. Reductions from pre- to post-treatment in both self-reported and clinician-rated symptoms are clearly demonstrated for the creative activity group participant sample. Research findings establish that participation in creative activity has potential benefits for people experiencing mental health problems.

Arts participation, mental well-being and social inclusion: Mixed methods evaluation of an Open Arts studio for people with mental health needs

“…In the focus group, the gains described by participants included several aspects associated with well-being, such as increased confidence, self-esteem and motivation, a sense of a positive identity, and pride in achievements, complementing the findings of previous arts and mental health research (e.g. Caddy et al 2012;Secker et al 2011;Stickley 2010).…”

Art therapy for people with psychosis: a narrative review of the literature

“…49 Across the methodologies, the structure of the art therapy intervention was ambiguous or not described. 20,21,39,41,42,44,46 'Consistency' was a significantly weak category for most case studies and for The quantitative studies were objective in reporting the significant and non-significant results, apart from de Morais et al 40 Several quantitative and qualitative studies failed to consider potential biases associated with integrating art therapy with other psychotherapeutic or psychosocial interventions. …”

Reintegration of Schizophrenia Diagnosed Patients in Social Environment through Art Therapy-A Pilot Study

“…12.1 (7)(8)(9)(10)(11)(12)(13)(14) According to the study objectives, the main PANSS related variables expected to change were negative symptoms, aggressiveness and insight. …”

“…The last variable is expressed as a percentage calculated as number of days during which the patients participated in house activities from the total number of days since the last visit (7, as the sessions are weekly). 14.7 (7)(8)(9)(10)(11)(12)(13)(14)(15)(16)(17) According to the study objectives, the main PANSS-related variables expected to change were negative symptoms, aggressiveness and insight. …”

“…A group of hospitalized patients (N=403) who participated in art and craft-based creative therapies was evaluated over a 5-year period using self-and clinician-rated severity of symptoms, and significant reductions of these scores were detected [10].…”