Reynolds Frances, Prior Sarah
Brunel University (Osterley Campus), Borough Road, Isleworth, Middlesex, TW7 5DU, UK.
Disabil Rehabil. 2003 Jul 22;25(14):785-94. doi: 10.1080/0963828031000093486.
The purpose of this phenomenological enquiry was to explore the meanings and functions of art for a group of women living with disabling chronic illness. Participants were recruited on the basis that they considered artwork as central to their current well-being.
Thirty women were interviewed and five submitted written narratives. Interpretative phenomenological analysis was carried out.
About half of the participants had taken up their preferred artistic occupation since the onset of illness. Participants described their artwork as contributing to their health and well-being in many diverse ways. Art filled occupational voids, distracted thoughts away from illness, promoted the experience of flow and spontaneity, enabled the expression of grief, maintained a positive identity, and extended social networks. Its value was conceptualised by one participant as a 'lifestyle coat-hanger' organising numerous further roles and activities that gave purpose to life. Art was more than cathartic. It offered a versatile means of overcoming the restrictions imposed by illness on self and lifestyle, in many cases creating a more enriched lifestyle than before.
The findings may encourage professionals working in health and rehabilitation settings to assist clients in identifying meaningful, creative occupations that are feasible within the limits imposed by illness or injury.
本现象学探究旨在探讨艺术对于一群患有致残性慢性病的女性的意义和功能。参与者的招募基于她们认为艺术作品对其当前的幸福至关重要这一前提。
对30名女性进行了访谈，5名提交了书面叙述。进行了解释性现象学分析。
约一半的参与者自患病以来从事了她们喜欢的艺术活动。参与者描述她们的艺术作品以多种不同方式促进了她们的健康和幸福。艺术填补了职业空白，将思绪从疾病上转移开，促进了心流和自发性体验，使悲伤得以表达，维持了积极的身份认同，并扩展了社交网络。一名参与者将其价值概念化为一个“生活方式衣架”，它组织了许多赋予生活意义的其他角色和活动。艺术不仅仅具有宣泄作用。它提供了一种通用的方式来克服疾病对自我和生活方式所施加的限制，在许多情况下创造了比以前更丰富的生活方式。
这些发现可能会鼓励在健康和康复环境中工作的专业人员协助客户识别在疾病或损伤所施加的限制范围内可行的有意义、有创造性的活动。
