Date of Award

Spring 5-2006

Document Type

Thesis

Degree Name

Master of Science (MS)

Department

EVMS School of Health Professions

Program/Concentration

Art Therapy

Abstract

A review of the literature indicated the lack of art therapy research with homosexuals and their families. The need for research into the implications for the use of art processes and materials to assist in the coming-out process of families of self-disclosed homosexuals was established. A qualitative hermeneutic method of research was initially proposed to study this need. Volunteer participants who were parents or adult relatives of self-disclosed homosexuals would participate in an audio-videotaped workshop to include three art-making exercises intended to evoke expressions of the participants’ experiences of the coming-out process. Data would have consisted of the researcher’s written observations, the audio-videotape, and photos of the artwork created in the workshop.

After three unsuccessful attempts to gain volunteer participants, faculty approval was obtained to alter the method of research to a modified heuristic study. The researcher created visual and written expressions to explore her own experience with the coming-out process of her family in response to her female cousin’s disclosure of homosexuality. She also simultaneously explored her experience of conducting a master’s level thesis.

Data was analyzed and reduced into themes. Results revealed themes of anxiety, energy and knowledge, anger and frustration, failure, sadness and depression, avoidance, division, and barriers.

Findings suggest implications for the use of art processes and materials in the coming-out process of families of self-disclosed homosexuals to assist confronting, exploring, and validating complex thoughts and emotions and providing a container for constructive and safe expression of feelings.

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DOI

10.25777/htmd-r767

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