Military veteran use of visual journaling during recovery

Abstract

This paper details a pilot study that used a six-week visual journaling art therapy group with military veterans in recovery in order to reduce symptoms of stress, anxiety, depression, and trauma. Two participants completed the journaling group, pre- and posttest Clinical Outcomes in Routine Evaluation—Outcome Measure (CORE-OM), and an individual interview. The data from the CORE-OM were analyzed to determine change in overall score as well as the domains of life functioning, risk/harm, problems/symptoms, and subjective well-being. The individual interviews were analyzed to determine themes. The following themes were identified: self-knowledge gained via the journaling process, therapist qualities, individual versus group therapy, art-making benefits, and art communicates the “real” me. Although the CORE-OM did not show clinically significant change, the interviews revealed that the participants benefited from their participation in the journaling group. Due to the small sample size and the fact that both participants were receiving other mental health treatment at the time of the study, the results cannot be generalized. However, the results indicate that further study is warranted.

Keywords:

• Journaling
• visual journaling
• writing
• art therapy
• veterans