Softer: Looking for oxytocin in art therapy

Springham, Neil; Thorne, David R.; Brooker, Julie

doi:10.1080/17454832.2014.882366

Cited by 9 publications

(7 citation statements)

References 23 publications

(19 reference statements)

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“…Previous studies have demonstrated that single sessions of art therapy with healthy adult populations can result in significant change (Kaimal & Ray, 2017;Kaimal, Mensinger, Drass, & Dieterich-Hartwell, 2017). Springham, Throne, and Brooker (2014) theorised the potential for activation of oxytocin, a biomarker of attachment, during moments of trust in art therapy. Art making has also been found to activate reward pathways in the brain (Kaimal, Ayaz, et al, 2017) and significantly reduce cortisol levels (a marker of stress) in healthy adults (Kaimal, Ray, & Muniz, 2016).…”

Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 99%

Outcomes of collage art-based and narrative self-expression among home hospice caregivers

Kaimal

Mensinger

Carroll-Haskins

2020

International Journal of Art Therapy

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Aims: This mixed methods quasi-experimental study examined the outcomes of a brief art therapy-based and a narrative interview-based intervention to address the psychosocial needs of home hospice caregivers. Methods: Participants (n = 14) chose to participate either in a narrative interview (n = 7) or artsbased interview (n = 7). Standardised self-report measures of affect, spiritual well-being, perceived stress, and self-efficacy and physiological markers of stress(salivary cortisol) and social/emotional connection (oxytocin levels) were collected before and after intervention sessions. Results: Qualitative findings indicated that caregivers (a) recognized their need for reducing stress and isolation; (b) experienced a learning curve related to illness and hospice care; (c) engaged in existential reflections on purpose and values; and were (d) living through progressive grief and loss. Quantitative findings indicated that the narrative condition group experienced improved spiritual well-being and negative affect. Both conditions were followed by improved positive affect. There were no statistically significant changes in salivary cortisol or oxytocin for either condition. Conclusion: The results suggest that caregivers might need longer term interventions for sustained changes. Implications for further research: Further research is needed to examine the role of narrative and visual self-expression among home hospice caregivers. Study limitations included a small non-randomised sample, lack of transcribed interview data, and incomplete survey and biomarker data.

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Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 99%

Outcomes of collage art-based and narrative self-expression among home hospice caregivers

Kaimal

Mensinger

Carroll-Haskins

2020

International Journal of Art Therapy

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“…Accordingly, Dunbar et al (2016) found that people who watched an emotionally stirring movie in groups eventually felt more bound to each other compared to those who watched emotionally neutral movies. Moreover, art therapy, which aims at building relationships between individuals through art, can increase mutual understanding and trust; it is believed to induce the secretion of oxytocin ( Springham et al, 2014 ; Springham and Huet, 2018 ). More generally, shared emotions can foster group bonding and result in better collective performance ( Kelly et al, 2014 ).…”

Section: Evolution Rewards the Sensitivementioning

confidence: 99%

“…That is, some artists might be driven to express their emotions because it enhances their ability to understand their own internal states ( Springham and Huet, 2018 ) and that of others ( Kou et al, 2020 ). It might even make them feel connected to consumers of their artworks ( Gonzales et al, 2010 ; Springham et al, 2014 ).…”

Section: Conclusion and Future Research Directionsmentioning

confidence: 99%

Enjoying art: an evolutionary perspective on the esthetic experience from emotion elicitors

Serrao,

Chirico,

Gabbiadini

et al. 2024

Front. Psychol.

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The ubiquity of human art prompted evolutionary psychologists to explore its origins as a potential adaptation to the environment. Here we focus on emotionally charged art and posit that affective affordances embedded into some artworks play a pivotal role in explaining why these artworks are enjoyed from an evolutionary perspective. Such features, recurring in various art forms, are interpreted as cues to the emotional state of others, enabling art consumers to engage in empathetic experiences and vicarious emotions. We explore the adaptive value of deriving pleasure from vicarious emotions, while also addressing the seemingly counterintuitive enjoyment of artworks that evoke negative emotions. We discuss the appreciation of vicarious emotions irrespective of their valence and maintain this appreciation to hold adaptive significance for three key reasons. Firstly, it aids art consumers in refining their interpretational schemes of internal states, potentially enhancing emotional regulation skills. Secondly, it contributes to a deeper understanding of the emotions of others, thereby fostering emotional intelligence and empathy. Lastly, the enjoyment of affectively charged artworks reinforces social cohesion by harmonizing the emotions of group members. This perspective provides a comprehensive framework for understanding the evolutionary underpinnings of the human capacity for art appreciation and emotional engagement.

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“…Building on the advances of MBT in understanding the role of the attachment system as a mechanism of change, Springham explores how mentalizing might operate within the use of art-making in therapy ( 34 ). As distinct from verbal psychotherapies, the basic relationship in art therapy is triangular: between two humans and an art object.…”

Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 99%

Art and mentalizing in early intervention psychosis: rationale and therapist insights on a new psychoeducational course

Parkinson,

Cole,

Trevelyan

2024

Front. Psychiatry

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In this paper, we explore the rationale for a combined art therapy and mentalization-based treatment (MBT) group course for those experiencing a first episode of psychosis (FEP). We discuss the theoretical background for how art and MBT theory can help us better understand and work with groups of individuals experiencing FEP, particularly focusing on avoidance and insecure attachment styles. We outline the delivery of a ten-week psychoeducational Art MBT course within an Early Intervention in Psychosis (EIP) Service and discuss our experiential insights into this new modality as co-therapists. We conclude by proposing that art therapy and mentalizing practice together offer an accessible, useful and practical group structure for EIP services, which could improve individuals’ mentalizing capacity and overall social functioning.

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Softer: Looking for oxytocin in art therapy

Cited by 9 publications

References 23 publications

Outcomes of collage art-based and narrative self-expression among home hospice caregivers

Outcomes of collage art-based and narrative self-expression among home hospice caregivers

Enjoying art: an evolutionary perspective on the esthetic experience from emotion elicitors

Art and mentalizing in early intervention psychosis: rationale and therapist insights on a new psychoeducational course

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