| Abstract [eng] |
Research topic: Experiences of Women with Eating Disorders in the Process of Textile-Based Art Therapy. Eating disorders are a group of psychiatric disorders characterized by complex psychopathology. Individuals with eating disorders often experience not only physiological but also emotional difficulties, such as self-criticism, negative self-image, distorted body perception, and difficulties recognizing or identifying emotions (alexithymia). Traditional treatment methods are not always sufficiently effective; therefore, complementary approaches such as arts therapies are often incorporated. Art therapy is recognized as an effective complementary method; however, research on the integration of textiles into the therapeutic process remains limited. Textiles possess sensory and symbolic qualities that may help reveal emotions and memories through embodied experience and strengthen self-awareness, which may be particularly relevant for individuals with eating disorders. The lack of such studies supports the relevance of this research. Aim of the research – to reveal the experiences of women with eating disorders when applying textiles in the art therapy process. Research object – the experiences of women with eating disorders when applying textiles in the art therapy process. Research subjects – women with eating disorders participating in art therapy sessions. Theoretical research objective: To analyze scientific literature on the significance of textiles and sensory experience in art therapy. Empirical research objectives: To reveal how sensory experience promotes emotional expression. To analyze how sensory experience helps reveal body perception. To analyze how participants’ relationship with themselves is revealed through sensory experiences. Research methods: The study involved 12 women who participated in art therapy sessions. Data were collected through participants’ reflections after artistic tasks and through analysis of the artworks they created. Artwork analysis was conducted using the content analysis method. The analysis focused on the choice of textile materials and their sensory qualities, the forms, proportions and structure of the artworks, as well as symbolic elements and imagery. Results: The study revealed that integrating textiles into the art therapy process created opportunities for participants to explore sensory, emotional and symbolic experiences. Six main aspects of the therapeutic process emerged: textiles as a means of sensory experience, a medium for emotional expression, a means of evoking autobiographical memory and associations, a safe symbolic space for expressing vulnerability, a form of expressing control and perfectionism, and a part of the healing and transformation process. Conclusions: 1. The analysis of scientific literature revealed that the tactile qualities of textile materials and multisensory creative experiences may promote embodied awareness, emotional regulation, activation of autobiographical and implicit memory, and symbolic expression of inner experiences. 2. The empirical research results showed that sensory experience in art therapy created opportunities for emotional expression on verbal, bodily and autobiographical levels. 3. The study revealed that sensory experiences helped disclose participants’ body perception characteristics, including emotional localization within the body, selective body experience and aspects of body fragmentation. 4. The study revealed aspects of self-criticism, control, perfectionism and emotional withdrawal; however, a more accepting relationship with oneself also began to emerge. Keywords: eating disorders, art therapy, textiles, sensory experience, embodied experience, emotional expression, implicit memory. |
