Museum-based art therapy and wellbeing programme: experiences of veterans with PTSD

ABSTRACT

Background

Engaging in creative arts and heritage have both been shown to improve wellbeing.

Aim: The aim of the current study was to explore veterans’ experiences of attending the Creative Wellbeing Programme programme (CWP) in a military museum.

Methods

Seven veterans who attended the CWP programme were invited to share their experiences through a qualitative, semi-structured interview. The interview explored experiences of engaging in this type of programme and the impact this had on them. The interview was transcribed, and a thematic analysis was conducted.

Results

Themes concerned three stages of involvement: Pre-programme, Programme experiences, and Post-programme. Pre-Programme themes concerned reasons for participation, pre-programmes feelings, hopes and expectations. Programme Experiences concerned general experiences, the role of social support, the role of the museum, and the art therapy process. Post-Programme themes concerned perceived outcomes. Overall, the museum created a relaxed and informal environment, and the familiar items in the museum stimulated the creative process. However, for some this led to disengagement due to fear that objects may prompt negative emotions.

Conclusions

The findings suggest that engaging veterans in art therapy in a museum environment is beneficial. Future programmes should aim to focus on support post intervention.

Implications: The study provides insight into the acceptability of art therapy within a military museum environment. It also adds to the growing international evidence concerning the role museums have in supporting mental health and wellbeing.

Plain language summary

This study aimed to explore the experiences of veterans who took part in a Creative Wellbeing Programme (CWP). This programme involved using art and discussion in a museum environment as a way of supporting veterans with potentially traumatic memories. The group environment facilitated connection and a sense of belonging through discussion of museum items.

Seven veterans were interviewed via MS Teams about their experiences engaging in the programme, exploring potentially positive and negative aspects of participating. The transcripts were transcribed by MS Teams and anonymized before being analysed for potential themes.

Themes were identified relating to pre-programme, during the programme and following the programme. Pre-programme themes were centred on the reasons veterans participated, and their hopes and expectations about the programme. Programme themes were the role of social support in the groups, the role of the museum, art therapy process. Post-programme themes centred on the outcomes veterans felt had resulted from taking part in the programme.

Overall, the familiar items in the museum facilitated discussion and creativity despite some veterans feeling that the items prompted negative emotions. The study findings indicate the potential benefits of a museum group environment for veterans experiencing mental health difficulties.

KEYWORDS:

• Art therapy
• heritage
• veterans
• PTSD
• museum
• qualitative evaluation
• wellbeing
• creativity

Disclosure statement

There is no conflict of interest in this paper. No financial or benefit has arisen from the direct application of the current research.

Additional information

Notes on contributors

Julia Baumann

Julia Baumann is an Assistant Psychologist working at Combat Stress. She has a BSc in Psychology from University of Stirling and a MSc in Psychiatric Research from King`s College London. Her main research interest is the impact of PTSD in veterans.

Natasha Biscoe

Natasha Biscoe is a Research Assistant at Combat Stress and has an MSc in Psychology from University College London.

Karen Burnell

Karen Burnell is an Associate Professor of Applied Psychology. She is a Chartered Psychologist by research and her research interests concern veteran mental health and wellbeing and the impact of heritage engagement on mental health and wellbeing.

Janice Lobban

Janice Lobban is Senior Art Psychotherapist at Combat Stress and a Churchill Research Fellow. Since 2001, she has specialised in working with military veterans who have PTSD.

Dominic Murphy

Dominic Murphy is a Professor in psychological trauma, a consultant clinical psychologist and Head of Research at Combat Stress and member of the King’s Centre for Military Health Research, King’s College London.