Learn More About the Foundational Research Behind the Development of Find Your Voice: Exploring the Story of You

How are the Prompts Chosen?

All prompts that will be presented in the writing practice have been developed from published research sources that have proven evidence behind individual arts in health theories.

What is Arts in Health?

Arts in Health, also commonly referred to as Arts in Medicine, is a professional field in which the arts and medicine are intertwined to create artistic practices or programs that aim to increase health and wellness either in community contexts or healthcare settings.

Three core principles fueled the development of Find Your Voice: Exploring the Story of You: the social cure, the theory of positivity, and the theory of self-efficacy.

The Social Cure

The power behind joining an arts-based group is becoming recognized in the field of arts in medicine as the Social Cure (William et al., 2020). Studies have shown that by joining one new social group, an individual reduces their chances of having a depressive relapse by twenty-four percent (William et al., 2020, Cruwys et al., 2014; Pearce et al., 2016; Williams et al., 2018). By joining three new groups, that percentage becomes sixty-four percent. This is because the social relationships formed within arts-based group programming are key to fulfilling the 5-process recovery model of health: connectedness, hope for the future, identity, meaning in life, and empowerment, all of which are needed to combat the pillars of burnout (Leamy et al., 2011, Maslach, 1993). There is a growing body of research demonstrating that social support can positively affect health and an individual’s sense of well-being (Clift et al., 2019; Bruce et al., 2018).

The Theory of Positivity

Studies have shown that individuals who maintain a more positive mindset have longer life expectancies, greater resistance to colds and other illnesses, and are more easily able to combat the symptoms of disease in addition to having greater resiliency when faced with negative life circumstances (Fancourt, 2017; Seligman & Csikszentmihalyi, 2000). Arts-based groups have the potential to aid in building a positive mindset by bringing individuals of similar backgrounds and health histories together to create art and share their stories with one another (Wakelin & Street, 2015). By being a part of a group that can fully relate to each other’s health or personal struggles, it opens the door to fully embracing the words of affirmation and encouragement being offered by fellow participants (Wakelin & Street, 2015; Bruce et al., 2018). Additionally, the emotional regulation that comes from group programming assists in the continued growth of positivity, which in turn, will lead to a stronger sense of positivity in the long run (Williams et al., 2020; Fancourt & Steptoe, 2019).

The Theory of Self-Efficacy

Self-efficacy refers to an individual’s ability to maintain a level of confidence and a sense of control over their lives regardless of their current circumstances (Bandura, 1986). Group arts programming offers individuals a chance to take control of their lives by offering them the space to enter into a creative practice alongside others (Goldbard, 2018). The product of such group activities is often a meaningful example and reminder of the power an individual holds even when it seems like they have none (Warran et al., 2019). The creativity that comes from arts programming offers individuals the chance to find a sense of freedom that brings about a healing sensation (Clift et al., 2019; Fancourt, 2017). Additionally, arts programs offer the chance for individuals to step outside of their comfort zone to learn something new about themselves (Clift et al., 2019). This self-discovery often leads to an increase in self-efficacy and confidence that only the arts can provide (Bruce et al., 2018).

References:

Bandura, A. (1986). Social Foundations of Thought and Action: A Social Cogitative Theory. Englewood Cliffs, NJ: Prentice-Hall.

Bruce, A., Daudt, H., & Breiddal, S. (2018). Can writing and storytelling foster self-care?: A qualitative inquiry into facilitated dinners. Journal of Hospice & Palliative Nursing, 20(6), 554–560. https://doi.org/10.1097/NJH.0000000000000478

Clift, S., Fancourt, D., and Finn, S. (2019). What is the evidence on the role of the arts in improving health and well-being? A scoping review. Nordic Journal of Arts, Culture and Health, 2(1), 77–83. https://doi.org/10.18261/issn.2535-7913-2020-01-08

Cruwys, T., Haslam, S. A., Dingle, G. A., Jetten, J., Hornsey, M. J., Desdemona Chong, E. M., & Oei, T. P. (2014). Feeling connected again: Interventions that increase social identification reduce depression symptoms in community and clinical settings. Journal of Affective Disorders, 159, 139–146.

Fancourt, D., & Steptoe, A. (2019). Present in body or just in mind: Differences in social presence and emotion regulation in live vs. virtual singing experiences. Frontiers in Psychology, 10. https://doi.org/10.3389/fpsyg.2019.00778

Fancourt, D. (2017) Arts In Health: Designing and Research Interventions. Oxford University Press.

Goldbard, A. (2018). Art and Wellbeing: Toward a Culture of Health. The U.S. Department of Arts and Culture.

Leamy, M., Bird, V., Le Boutillier, C., Williams, J., & Slade, M. (2011). Conceptual framework for personal recovery in mental health: systematic review and narrative synthesis. The British Journal Of Psychiatry, 199(6), 445–452. doi:10.1192/bjp.bp.110.083733

Maslach C. (1993) Burnout: a multidimensional perspective. In Professional Burnout: Recent Developments in Theory and Research (W.B. Schaufeli, C. Maslach & T. Marek eds), pp. 19–32, Taylor & Francis, Washington, DC.

Pearce, E., Launay, J., Machin, A., & Dunbar, R. I. M. (2016). Is group singing special? Health, well-being and social bonds in community-based adult education classes. Journal of Community & Applied Social Psychology, 26, 518–533.

Seligman, M, & Csikszentmihalyi, M. (2000). Positive psychology: An introduction. American Psychologist, 55(1), 5. https://doi.org/10.1037/0003-066X.55.1.5

Wakelin, K., & Street, A. F. (2015). An online expressive writing group for people affected by cancer: A virtual third place. Australian Social Work, 68(2), 198–211. https://doi.org/10.1080/0312407X.2014.991336

Williams, E., Dingle, G. A., Jetten, J., & Rowan, C. (2018). Identification with arts-based groups improves mental wellbeing in adults with chronic mental health conditions. Journal of Applied Social Psychology. doi:10.1111/jasp.12561

Williams, E., Dingle, G. A., Calligeros, R., Sharman, L., & Jetten, J. (2020). Enhancing mental health recovery by joining arts-based groups: A role for the social cure approach. Arts & Health, 12(2), 169–181. https://doi.org/10.1080/17533015.2019.1624584