Long-term art therapy clinical interventions with military service members with traumatic brain injury and post-traumatic stress: Findings from a mixed methods program evaluation study

ABSTRACT

Art therapy has been found to help Veterans with symptoms of post-traumatic stress. There is however limited scholarship on the differences in outcomes based on dosage (short-term vs. long-term treatment) especially for active duty military service members (SMs). This mixed methods program evaluation study examined feedback from SMs on their experiences of art therapy in an integrative medical care center after 3 weeks of group therapy and at the end of treatment (average time of 2 years). Data included participant demographics, feedback surveys, and narrative responses from SMs experiences of art therapy. The results indicate that longer-term art therapy resulted in improved perceived outcomes compared with the short term 3-week intervention. SMs with longer time in service reported the most improved self-reported outcomes. Women SMs expressed more positive emotions during their art making. Specific themes that were effectively addressed through art therapy included frustration tolerance, grief and loss, emotion regulation, personal insight, resiliency, and trauma processing. SMs also highlighted the unique and transformative role of the relationship with the therapist with alleviation of symptoms. The findings suggest benefits to long-term art therapy including improved ability in SMs to be aware of their symptoms and communicate effectively with others.

KEYWORDS:

• Art therapy
• post-traumatic stress
• traumatic brain injury
• active duty military
• program evaluation

Acknowledgments

Creative Forces®: NEA Military Healing Arts Network is an initiative of the National Endowment for the Arts (NEA) in partnership with the US Departments of Defense and Veterans Affairs and the state and local arts agencies. This initiative serves the special needs of military patients and Veterans with traumatic brain injury and psychological health conditions, as well as their families and caregivers. Administrative support for the initiative is provided by Americans for the Arts

Disclosure statement

No potential conflict of interest was reported by the authors.

Disclaimer

The identification of specific products, scientific instrumentation, or organization is considered an integral part of the scientific endeavor and does not constitute endorsement or implied endorsement on the part of the author, DoD, or any component agency. The views expressed in this study are those of the authors and do not reflect the official policy of the Department of Army/Navy/Air Force, Department of Defense, US Government, or the National Endowment for the Arts (NEA). The NEA does not guarantee the accuracy or completeness of the information in this material and is not responsible for any consequences of its use.

Additional information

Funding

National Endowment for the Arts [1855995-38-C-19].