| Abstract [eng] |
Title of the thesis topic. Exploring the Identity of LGBTQ+ Individuals and its Relationship to Self-Esteem through Art Therapy. Research rationale. To date, there has been no research conducted in Lithuania investigating the experiences of LGBTQ+ people in art therapy and its potential impact. This study aims to contribute to the development of art therapy in Lithuania, particularly in engaging the LGBTQ+ population, who are at a higher risk of experiencing psychological distress. Aim of the study. To explore the relationship between the identity of LGBTQ+ people and their self-esteem through the application of art therapy. Subjects. 12 participants aged 18-29 years, all of whom identify as LGBTQ+. Research methods. A mixed research design was employed for this study. In the quantitative aspect, participants' self-esteem was assessed using the Rosenberg’s Self-Esteem Scale before and after the art therapy intervention. The impact of a series of art therapy sessions on self-esteem was evaluated using Wilcoxon's signed-rank test. For the qualitative component, data from semi-structured interviews were analysed using thematic analysis. The formal elements art therapy scale (FEATS) was utilised to examine the created artworks, facilitating the observation of changes in creative expression throughout the sessions. Results. The quantitative data analysis did not yield a statistically significant difference between the participants' self-esteem scores before and after the art therapy intervention. However, a moderate effect size was observed. Thematic analysis of the qualitative data revealed several prominent themes: exploring identity in art therapy, self-esteem: changing and challenging, relationship with the self, and me and the other. Analysis of the formal elements of the drawings indicated a strengthening of identity and improvement in psychological well-being. Conclusions. Art therapy demonstrates potential in helping LGBTQ+ individuals clarify and fortify their identities by recognising their strengths, reducing perfectionism and exploring their authenticity. The art therapy sessions positively impacted participants' psychological well-being, enhanced emotion regulation and provided a safe space to process challenging emotions. |
