10 Using creative art research approaches to assess arts-based interventions with children in post-disaster contexts
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Julie Drolet
Abstract
Creative art research approaches are gaining in popularity in recent years and are increasingly being used in social work, health, and other disciplines (Vanover et al., 2018). Arts-informed approaches can serve as expressive therapies, and have been successfully applied in psychotherapy, counselling, and rehabilitation for decades (Malchiodi, 2005). Creative art research approaches expand the domain of qualitative inquiry and enable social science researchers to incorporate and utilise arts-based methodologies to better understand human behaviour, perspectives, and experiences (Leavy, 2017). Arts-based scholarly research is located in the creation of art, based on extensive artistic training, while arts-informed research is used to express the experiences, perspectives, and emotions of research participants (Shannon-Baker, 2015). Arts-informed research mainly focuses on the advancement of knowledge rather than merely the production or creation of artwork or art craft for this purpose. It facilitates the possibility of establishing deeper and genuine human connections by capturing different perspectives and expressions due to its expressive qualities (Leavy, 2017). Art and creative methods in social work research are consistent with the philosophy, mission, and values of the profession (Peek et al., 2016). Shannon (2013) discusses several key components of social work research that includes active community participation, understanding of the local contexts, mutual dialogue and understanding, and facilitating social change leading to empowerment, equality, and social justice. The profession of social work strongly values and respects the inherent worth and dignity of all people (IFSW & IASSW, 2004), and arts-informed creative research approaches provide an ethical platform to inquire about the lived experiences of individuals and communities (Jarldon, 2016). Arts-informed approaches allow social workers to learn how service users develop their inner strength by recognising ‘the inherent worth and dignity’ of an individual person (Foster, 2012).
Abstract
Creative art research approaches are gaining in popularity in recent years and are increasingly being used in social work, health, and other disciplines (Vanover et al., 2018). Arts-informed approaches can serve as expressive therapies, and have been successfully applied in psychotherapy, counselling, and rehabilitation for decades (Malchiodi, 2005). Creative art research approaches expand the domain of qualitative inquiry and enable social science researchers to incorporate and utilise arts-based methodologies to better understand human behaviour, perspectives, and experiences (Leavy, 2017). Arts-based scholarly research is located in the creation of art, based on extensive artistic training, while arts-informed research is used to express the experiences, perspectives, and emotions of research participants (Shannon-Baker, 2015). Arts-informed research mainly focuses on the advancement of knowledge rather than merely the production or creation of artwork or art craft for this purpose. It facilitates the possibility of establishing deeper and genuine human connections by capturing different perspectives and expressions due to its expressive qualities (Leavy, 2017). Art and creative methods in social work research are consistent with the philosophy, mission, and values of the profession (Peek et al., 2016). Shannon (2013) discusses several key components of social work research that includes active community participation, understanding of the local contexts, mutual dialogue and understanding, and facilitating social change leading to empowerment, equality, and social justice. The profession of social work strongly values and respects the inherent worth and dignity of all people (IFSW & IASSW, 2004), and arts-informed creative research approaches provide an ethical platform to inquire about the lived experiences of individuals and communities (Jarldon, 2016). Arts-informed approaches allow social workers to learn how service users develop their inner strength by recognising ‘the inherent worth and dignity’ of an individual person (Foster, 2012).
Chapters in this book
- Front Matter i
- Contents ix
- List of figures and tables xi
- Notes on contributors xiii
- Introduction 1
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Arts-based research as a method to understand and give voice to marginalised groups
- Using arts-based methods to explore existential issues around ageing 13
- Arts- and music-based activities and nondeliberative participatory research methods: building connection and community 24
- Arts-based methods to co-create knowledge and reconstruct power relations with marginalised women in and through research 33
- Autoethnographic playwriting and performance for self-healing and advocacy 45
- Using photography to research the ‘other’: the validity of photography for social work research – a visual case study from China 55
- Mixed arts-based methods as a platform for expressing lived experience 68
- Arts-based methods to support and reveal new mothers’ and families’ experiences: a positive parenting and feminist approach 77
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Using arts-based research to listen to, and give voice to, children in social work
- “I don’t like the cameras in the house. They’re looking at us all the time”: the contribution of Photovoice to children in a post-hospitalisation programme 89
- Arts-based research work with migrant children 102
- Using creative art research approaches to assess arts-based interventions with children in post-disaster contexts 117
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Arts-based research as a way for researchers and community members to understand communities
- Murals and photography in community engagement and assessment 129
- Forum theatre as participatory action research with community workers 139
- A/r/tography, rhizomatic storytelling, and ripple effects mapping: a combined arts-based and community mapping methodology to evaluate the impact of COVID-19 expressive arts support groups for frontliners in the Philippines 148
- Art and artefact: displaying social work through objects 162
- Building research capacity: scaffolding the process through arts-based pedagogy 170
- Art as a way of improving participatory action research: an experience with youngsters with an intellectual disability and their families 181
- Epilogue 198
- Index 200
Chapters in this book
- Front Matter i
- Contents ix
- List of figures and tables xi
- Notes on contributors xiii
- Introduction 1
-
Arts-based research as a method to understand and give voice to marginalised groups
- Using arts-based methods to explore existential issues around ageing 13
- Arts- and music-based activities and nondeliberative participatory research methods: building connection and community 24
- Arts-based methods to co-create knowledge and reconstruct power relations with marginalised women in and through research 33
- Autoethnographic playwriting and performance for self-healing and advocacy 45
- Using photography to research the ‘other’: the validity of photography for social work research – a visual case study from China 55
- Mixed arts-based methods as a platform for expressing lived experience 68
- Arts-based methods to support and reveal new mothers’ and families’ experiences: a positive parenting and feminist approach 77
-
Using arts-based research to listen to, and give voice to, children in social work
- “I don’t like the cameras in the house. They’re looking at us all the time”: the contribution of Photovoice to children in a post-hospitalisation programme 89
- Arts-based research work with migrant children 102
- Using creative art research approaches to assess arts-based interventions with children in post-disaster contexts 117
-
Arts-based research as a way for researchers and community members to understand communities
- Murals and photography in community engagement and assessment 129
- Forum theatre as participatory action research with community workers 139
- A/r/tography, rhizomatic storytelling, and ripple effects mapping: a combined arts-based and community mapping methodology to evaluate the impact of COVID-19 expressive arts support groups for frontliners in the Philippines 148
- Art and artefact: displaying social work through objects 162
- Building research capacity: scaffolding the process through arts-based pedagogy 170
- Art as a way of improving participatory action research: an experience with youngsters with an intellectual disability and their families 181
- Epilogue 198
- Index 200
