Volume 37, Issue 2 < /a > , Page 45-56, June 2016. < br/ > Purpose – The purpose of this paper is to explore the role of a social art practice and group attachment in the life of a mental health service user with a diagnosis of borderline personality disorder. ..."> Volume 37, Issue 2 < /a > , Page 45-56, June 2016. < br/ > Purpose – The purpose of this paper is to explore the role of a social art practice and group attachment in the life of a mental health service user with a diagnosis of borderline personality disorder. ..." /> Volume 37, Issue 2 < /a > , Page 45-56, June 2016. < br/ > Purpose – The purpose of this paper is to explore the role of a social art practice and group attachment in the life of a mental health service user with a diagnosis of borderline personality disorder. ..." />

Group attachment through art practice: a phenomenological analysis of being seen and showing

Therapeutic Communities: The International Journal of Therapeutic Communities, < a href="http://www.emeraldinsight.com/toc/tc/37/2" > Volume 37, Issue 2 < /a > , Page 45-56, June 2016. < br/ > Purpose – The purpose of this paper is to explore the role of a social art practice and group attachment in the life of a mental health service user with a diagnosis of borderline personality disorder. Design/methodology/approach – Interpretative phenomenological analysis was used as a means by whic h to explore interview data and bring to bear theories of attachment and psychosocial theories of the creative process. Findings – The study found that the process of coming to be seen and showing, relating and narrating, was part of a process enabled by experiences of group attachment within specific groups. These groups appeared to share the core principles of a TC. The artist’s improving reflective capacity and art practice informed and strengthened each other within a context of attachment, containment, communication, inclusion and agency (Haigh, 2013). Research limitations/impl ications – Whilst phenomenological work of this kind is small scale, the nature of the involvement with the participant facilitates a first person narrative which allows unique insight into human meaning making. Practical implications – The study offers pointers regarding the role of social art practice and emphasises the importance of developing attachments as part of mental well-b...
Source: Therapeutic Communities: The International Journal of Therapeutic Communities - Category: Psychiatry & Psychology Source Type: research