scholarly journals Free to be: Experiences of arts-based relational caring in a community living and thriving with dementia

Dementia ◽  
2021 ◽  
pp. 147130122110270
Author(s):  
Christine Jonas-Simpson ◽  
Gail Mitchell ◽  
Sherry Dupuis ◽  
Lesley Donovan ◽  
Pia Kontos
Keyword(s):  
Ethic Of Care ◽  
Research Question ◽  
Creative Arts ◽  
Support Worker ◽  
Personal Support ◽  
Body Of Knowledge ◽  
The Arts ◽  
Van Manen ◽  
Phenomenological Methodology ◽  
Qualitative Phenomenological

Aim To present findings about experiences of relational caring at an arts-based academy for persons living with dementia. Background There is a compelling call and need for connection and relationships in communities living with dementia. This study shares what is possible when a creative arts-based academy for persons living with dementia grounded in relational inquiry and caring focuses on relationships through the medium of the arts. Design A qualitative phenomenological methodology (informed by van Manen) was used to answer the research question, “What is it like to experience relational caring at an arts-based academy for persons living with dementia?” We address two research objectives: (1) to explore how relationships are experienced when a relational caring philosophy underpins practice, including arts-based engagements; and (2) to understand the meaning of relationships that bring quality to day-to-day living. Methods Twenty-five participants were recruited from the Academy and interviewed in one-to-one in-depth interviews or small groups. Participants included five persons living with dementia, eight family members, four staff, five artists, one personal support worker, and two volunteers. Participants were asked to describe their experiences of relational caring or relationships in the Academy space. Findings Three thematic patterns emerged, which address the research objectives. Relational caring is experienced when: freedom and fluid engagement inspire a connected spontaneous liveliness; embracing difference invites discovery and generous inclusivity; and mutual affection brings forth trust and genuine expression. Conclusions Findings contribute to the growing body of knowledge about both relational caring and arts-based practices that call forth a different ethic of care—one that is relational, inclusive, and intentional. Findings also shed light on what is possible when a relational caring philosophy underpins arts-based practices—everyone thrives.

The Music Therapist: Creative Arts Therapist and Contemporary Shaman

2016 ◽  
Vol 2 ◽  
Author(s):  
Joseph Moreno
Keyword(s):  
Native American ◽  
Creative Arts ◽  
Indian Culture ◽  
Music Therapist ◽  
Psychotherapy Practice ◽  
The Arts ◽  
Contemporary Psychotherapy ◽  
The World ◽  
Traditional Healing Practices

While much of contemporary psychotherapy practice often focuses primarily on verbal exchange between therapists and clients, it is important to recognize that verbal expression is just one mode of expression, and not necessarily the deepest or most profound. Many clients in therapy may be more comfortable in expressing themselves in other ways through the modes of music, art, dance and psychodrama. The sources of the arts in healing extend back for many thousands of years and their modern expression through the creative arts therapies are now widely utilized in the mainstream of modern psychotherapy. Traditional healing practices are still widely practiced in many indigenous cultures around the world today and an appreciation of these practices can deeply enrich our understanding of the essential role of the arts in human expression. The aim of this paper is to consider the roots of the arts therapies and really all of psychotherapy, going as far back as pre-historic evidence, followed by an overview of living indigenous healing practices in such settings as Bushman culture in Namibia, Native American Indian culture, as well as in Kenya, Bali, Malaysia, Mongolia and more.

How Does Creative Arts Therapy Reduce Distress for Children With Cancer? A Metasynthesis of Extant Qualitative Literature

2019 ◽  
Vol 37 (2) ◽  
pp. 91-104
Author(s):  
Jennifer L. Raybin ◽  
Emily Barr ◽  
Marilyn Krajicek ◽  
Jacqueline Jones
Keyword(s):  
Research Question ◽  
Creative Arts ◽  
Qualitative Synthesis ◽  
Creative Arts Therapy ◽  
Children With Cancer ◽  
Integrative Health ◽  
Study Team ◽  
Disease Experience ◽  
Integrative Therapies

Introduction: As more children survive cancer, attention must be paid to their quality of life (QOL). Integrative therapies are an ideal modality for nurses to advocate for reducing distress and improving QOL for children with cancer. Creative arts therapy is a type of integrative health that may improve QOL in this population. Therefore, the research question was asked, “For children with cancer, what opportunities exist for creative arts therapy to reduce distress?” Method: A metasynthesis of the extant qualitative research was conducted to answer the research question. Seven qualitative studies were identified, which included 162 participants. New themes were identified through rigorous analyzation by the study team of each study as individual data. Results: Four derived analytic themes emerged through the analysis: (a) connection is established through creative expression, (b) coping is facilitated by creative arts, (c) communication is enabled by creative arts interventions, and (d) continuance (the concept of time) is experienced through creative arts. Examples of each theme with subthemes are delineated, including expressive quotes. Summary: Through this qualitative synthesis of studies with creative arts therapy, evocative opportunities to reduce the distress associated with the disease experience are revealed. Nurses are called now to promote creative arts therapy to improve the symptoms in children with cancer.

Coming home to the arts: theatre with military veterans and families

2017 ◽  
Vol 16 (1) ◽  
pp. 12-14 ◽  
Author(s):  
Alison O’Connor
Keyword(s):  
Positive Impact ◽  
Military Veterans ◽  
Creative Arts ◽  
Post Traumatic Stress ◽  
Content Type ◽  
Choral Singing ◽  
The Arts ◽  
Complex Emotions ◽  
Post Traumatic

Purpose A significant number of military veterans and family members are living with post-traumatic stress, unmet mental health needs and isolation. There is growing interest in the potential of theatre and the expressive arts as a positive intervention with this population. The purpose of this paper is to introduce the Coming Home programme which aims to create opportunities for military veterans and families to develop an ongoing engagement with the arts and through that engagement to access new ways of regulating and expressing complex emotions. Design/methodology/approach This case study shares reflections from Re-Live’s current theatre programme, Coming Home. The programme methodology uses reflective writing, theatre and choral singing to develop participants wellbeing and reduce isolation. Findings Initial feedback suggests that this programme has significant potential as a way of reconnecting veterans and families with their community and improving their wellbeing. The emotional release of group singing and performing together has been powerful. Participants report that the Coming Home programme is connecting them with parts of themselves they thought had gone forever: humour, spontaneity, fun – and having a positive impact on their wellbeing. Originality/value This case study contributes to the literature from the exciting and emerging field of the use of the creative arts with military veterans and families.

scholarly journals A dramatic existence: Undergraduate preparations for a creative life in the performance industries

2020 ◽  
Vol 34 (4) ◽  
pp. 272-283
Author(s):  
Rachel Delta Higdon ◽  
Kate Chapman
Keyword(s):  
Performing Arts ◽  
Creative Industries ◽  
Creative Arts ◽  
Public And Private ◽  
The Public ◽  
The United Kingdom ◽  
The Arts ◽  
Research Findings ◽  
The University ◽  
Creative Life

This article focuses specifically on drama and theatre higher education (HE) programmes and preparation for potential graduate work. The article investigates working in the creative industries and in the performing arts (particularly within acting) and how HE students in the United Kingdom prepare for this life. The growth of the creative industries and successful applied drama in the public and private sectors has also brought business interest in how drama and theatre processes can benefit other workplaces, outside of the creative arts. The article addresses current policy, initiatives and partnerships to broaden inclusion and access to creative work. The research explores drama undergraduate degrees and the university’s role in supporting a successful transition from HE to graduate work. Students perceive the university world as safe and the graduate world as precarious and unsafe. The research findings have resonance with other undergraduate degrees, outside of the arts and the role the university plays in student transitions from the university to the graduate environment.

The Playwright Within: Fun, Freedom, and Agency Through Playwriting for Urban Elementary Students

2016 ◽  
Vol 55 (4) ◽  
pp. 592-624
Author(s):  
Jenice L. View ◽  
Mary Stone Hanley
Keyword(s):  
Elementary Students ◽  
Language Arts ◽  
Positive Relationship ◽  
Research Question ◽  
Cultural Knowledge ◽  
Sense Of Agency ◽  
Experienced Teacher ◽  
Artistic Process ◽  
The Arts ◽  
Urban Elementary Students

The participants in this study are 9-year-olds who demonstrate signs of incipient alienation. Even with an experienced teacher who had a positive relationship with her students, some students describe school as boring. The arts may provide a path away from alienation when learning is embedded in the students’ cultural knowledge and when the artistic process is primary. Our research question was, “What do students learn when engaged in a playwriting experience in school?” The evidence suggests that students discovered fun, freedom, and a sense of agency with language arts as a result of their participation in the program.

The Arts and Talent Development

1996 ◽  
Vol 11 (3) ◽  
pp. 136-138
Author(s):  
Ken Seeley
Keyword(s):  
Talent Development ◽  
The Self ◽  
Human Potential ◽  
Creative Arts ◽  
Human Motivation ◽  
The Arts

The writer argues for the importance of the creative arts which cross all boundaries of culture and human motivation. The article defends the holistic nature of the creative arts which synthesises the whole range of human potential. The author proposes that the creative arts are a basis for understanding both the self and society.

scholarly journals Personal Support Worker (PSW)-supported home hemodialysis: A paradigm shift

2016 ◽  
Vol 21 (2) ◽  
pp. 173-179 ◽  
Author(s):  
Andreas Pierratos ◽  
Melanie Tremblay ◽  
Gokulan Kandasamy ◽  
Graham Woodward ◽  
Peter Blake ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Paradigm Shift ◽  
Support Worker ◽  
Home Hemodialysis ◽  
Personal Support

All Awareness and No Action: Can Social Work Leverage Creative Arts’ Potential?

2017 ◽  
Vol 29 (6) ◽  
pp. 708-720
Author(s):  
Raphael Travis
Keyword(s):  
Social Work ◽  
Work Practice ◽  
Well Being ◽  
Social Work Practice ◽  
Creative Arts ◽  
Short Term ◽  
Research Education ◽  
Social Work Research ◽  
The Arts ◽  
Explicit Recognition

Social work is grounded with an emphasis on promoting the well-being being of individuals and families with an explicit recognition of how the environment plays a significant role in the unfolding of well-being. Unfortunately, the profession’s commitment to maintaining the infrastructure for social work research, education, and practice that helps students and professionals focus on the environmental forces that create, contribute to, and address problems of the living sometimes feels superficial. These trends have made it difficult to realize the effectiveness and promise of integrating creative arts into social work practice. The present article discusses how social work efforts with creative arts will have limited influence if their context, underlying assumptions, and framing are misaligned with the experiential realities of clients; if gatekeeping is too rigid or biased to effectively grow the arts-based infrastructure; and if the underlying assumptions that define well-being outcomes are proportionately narrow, deficit oriented, and short-term focused.

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