Date of Award

Spring 5-28-2006

Document Type

Thesis

Degree Name

Master of Science (MS)

Department

EVMS School of Health Professions

Program/Concentration

Art Therapy

Abstract

Over the course of history war has brought death and destruction to the men and women who have had to partake in combat. Through advances in technology more soldiers are able to return home alive, however they are not always physically or mentally intact. There are a large number of men and women returning home from the current conflict in the Middle East with increased Posttraumatic Stress Disorder symptoms. Those who return home as amputees will most likely have amplified PTSD symptoms as they are not only returning home with mental scars, but physical wounds.

The psychological impact of war can be debilitating for those who survive if they do not receive the proper help. Mental health services are provided more readily than in past conflicts. Art therapy is a service offered to some veterans to help with the reduction of mental pains of war. This study was designed to examine whether making art would help reduce Posttraumatic Stress Disorder symptoms. The idea of breaking down trauma with art making along with a narrative process was intended for veterans to gain some control over past experiences in which they had little to no control. The art-making process was also seen as a means of externalizing traumatic memory thus allowing the memory to be stored as long-term, instead of as the heightened memories and physical responses that correlate with PTSD.

The study was not completed as planned due to the lack of participants. As an alternative, the researcher worked through the art processes to explore future implications for the design. The majority of the problems seemed to be the possibility that veterans PTSD symptoms might be triggered, the art interventions might be too long, and possible changes should be made in materials. Perhaps this information can be used by future researchers who might implement similar studies.

Rights

In Copyright. URI: http://rightsstatements.org/vocab/InC/1.0/ This Item is protected by copyright and/or related rights. You are free to use this Item in any way that is permitted by the copyright and related rights legislation that applies to your use. For other uses you need to obtain permission from the rights-holder(s).

DOI

10.25777/mgqw-nd13

Download

Share

COinS