| Abstract [eng] |
Topic: experiences of people with sleep difficulties in art therapy process. Research problem: sleep disorders are one of the most common medical complaints and are becoming an increasingly topical subject. Despite advances in diagnostic techniques and growing awareness of sleep health, a large number of sleep disorders remain undiagnosed and untreated. It is likely that hundreds of thousands of people in Lithuania are affected by sleep disorders, but most of them go untreated, leading to the development of other diseases. Aim: to reveal the experiences of individuals with sleep difficulties in the art therapy process. Object: the expression of visual and verbal experiences of young women experiencing sleep difficulties in art therapy process. Research methodology: qualitative research, in which the data analysis was carried out using inductive thematic analysis and formal element analysis of drawings. The participants were subjected to a group art therapy of 10 sessions. The reflections expressed during the art therapy were recorded, transcribed and analysed using thematic analysis. Semi-structured interviews taken at the end of the art therapy sessions were analysed using the same method. The drawings of the participants were analysed using the formal element analysis. A comparison was made between the two methods of analysis. Results: three themes emerged from the thematic analysis, describing the experiences of people with sleep difficulties: 1. Psychoemotional difficulties; 2. Self-knowledge and awareness; 3. The search for life authorship. The analysis of the formal elements of the drawings highlighted the following formal elements: central, open composition, concrete, central, large objects, realism, integrity, clarity, dry pastel technique, colour-filled sheet of paper, symbols: water, the human figure, the road, elements of nature, A4 sheet, storyline elements. The comparison between the two analysis revealed common links: large central objects: depicting what is most important; realistic representation: the importance of relationship, self-awareness, self-empowerment; variety of colours: a reflection of inner dynamics; A4 sheet: anxiety, control and limits; man and road symbols: a reflection of inner dynamics, the search for authorship of life; elements of nature, water symbol: anxiety, release of emotions and the need for peace; dry pastels: responsibility, boundaries, anxiety, control, self-expression, self-empowerment; a full sheet of paper: expression and letting go of an intense inner world; narrative elements: self-knowledge, self-awareness, self-empowerment, search for authorship. Findings: 1. Three themes emerged from the thematic analysis, describing the experiences of individuals with sleep difficulties: 1. Psychoemotional difficulties; 2. Self-knowledge and awareness; 3. The search for life authorship. 2. The following formal elements reveal the experiences of individuals with sleep difficulties: central, open composition, concrete, central, large objects, realism, solidity, clarity, dry pastel technique, a sheet of paper filled with colour, symbols: water, human figure, road, elements of nature, an A4 sheet. 3. The links between visual and verbal expression showed that the following themes embody the experience of individuals with sleep difficulties: expression of the inner world, psycho-emotional difficulties, letting go of emotions, self-knowledge, awareness, search for authorship. 4. Art therapy can be an effective intervention for individuals with sleep difficulties, promoting personal growth, self-awareness and change. |
