Thesis
A phenomenological exploration of the lived experience of mothers recovering from substance use disorders as they participate in a time-limited art therapy group: a pilot study
Master of Arts (M.A.), Drexel University
Nov 2009
DOI:
https://doi.org/10.17918/etd-3230
Abstract
The purpose of this study was to explore the lived experience of mothersrecovering from substance use disorders as they participated in a time-limited art therapygroup. Mothers with substance use disorders (SUDs) face differing stressors, barriers totreatment, and treatment needs, than those of males or childless women. This study wasdesigned to explore how mothers experience their SUDs as expressed through the arttherapy process with the goal of creating a better understanding of the psychological andpsychosocial phenomena that contribute to the mothers' experience of substance use. The study was conducted at an outpatient substance use disorders treatmentcenter. The study was initially intended for five participants, between the ages of 18 and65, who were mothers with substance use disorders. Five participants were recruited;however three mothers withdrew during the course of the study due to personal issues. The data were collected via two simulated group art therapy sessions, individual openendedresponsive interviews, and followed by a telephone validation interview. The data were analyzed using a qualitative phenomenological methodology asoutlined by Moustakas (1994). The major findings included four composite essentialstructures which were: (1) creation and verbalization of artwork revealed the participants'struggles with an ambivalent sense of self or poor self-concepts and the need to seekapproval from others; (2) an underlying sense of deprivation and loss and a simultaneouspreoccupation with attempts to fill the void from external sources; (3) creation anddiscussion of the artwork allowed for open expression and identification ofuncomfortable or painful thoughts and feelings despite defenses used against suchfeelings; (4) objectification gained by creating and discussing artwork led toconcretization of thoughts, feelings, and behaviors regarding past memories as well asfuture goals which increased self-awareness, leading towards internalization andacceptance of artwork as an extension of self. The implications of this study include clinical applications and recommendationsfor future research based upon the resulting composite essential structures. The clinicalapplications incorporate suggestions for art therapy assessment and treatment approachesthat emerged from the analysis of the data. Recommendations for future research includefollow up studies on the clinical art therapy applications and the integration of art therapyin the substance use disorder treatment team.
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Details
- Title
- A phenomenological exploration of the lived experience of mothers recovering from substance use disorders as they participate in a time-limited art therapy group
- Creators
- Amy Elizabeth Bender - DU
- Contributors
- Nancy E. Gerber (Advisor) - Drexel University (1970-)
- Awarding Institution
- Drexel University
- Degree Awarded
- Master of Arts (M.A.)
- Publisher
- Drexel University; Philadelphia, Pennsylvania
- Resource Type
- Thesis
- Language
- English
- Academic Unit
- Creative Arts Therapies; College of Nursing and Health Professions; Drexel University
- Other Identifier
- 3230; 991014632934204721