| Abstract [eng] |
Subject - the expression of traumatic childhood experiences of young adults in art therapy. Often difficult life events unbalance a young person's normal adaptation to the environment, and can also cause physiological, psychological, or cognitive changes. In Lithuania, there are no studies so far using art therapy as an intervention for people who have experienced childhood trauma. Therefore, this study could be a significant initiative to improve the emotional health of young people who have experienced psychological trauma in childhood. Research purpose – to uncover how childhood traumatic experiences of young adults manifest in art therapy. Research participants. 5 young women (21-27 years old) with subjective childhood traumatic experiences. Research methodology. The qualitative study was conducted, consisting of a literature analysis and an empirical study. Data for the empirical study was collected by recording participants' verbal reflections during the sessions, observing, and photographing participants' drawings, and recording semi-structured interviews after the sessions. The methods used to present the results were: thematic analysis and analysis of formal elements of the drawings. Research results. Art therapy helps adults with childhood trauma to express their emotions through imagery. In both verbal and visual expressions of the young people there were pronounced self-protection mechanisms, defense and rationalization of feelings and experiences. Trauma-focused group art therapy is an appropriate way to heal the effects of trauma and improve psycho-emotional health. |
