Situating our selves: using mixed media to convey experiences of psychosocial cancer research

ABSTRACT

Background

In contrast to the field of art therapy, the use of art-making as a form of reflective or creative practice by social scientists by themselves or for themselves has been limited. In this article, we describe the impetus and outcomes for collective art-making within our group of seven health researchers.

Methods

As a group, we represent sociology, psychology, nursing, occupational therapy, and kinesiology, as well as interdisciplinary studies. Guided by a professional artist, we engaged with mixed media to explore our experiences as psychosocial cancer researchers.

Results

Findings are brought to light through a process and outcome narrative that highlights the meaningfulness of cancer to researchers.

Conclusions

Key learnings could inform initiatives that other health researchers might undertake if choosing to expand beyond prevalent models of art as intervention for those who are ill to more fully engage those who explore such lines of inquiry.

KEYWORDS:

• Visual arts
• creative writing
• breast cancer
• well-being
• qualitative methods
• survivorship

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Erratum

Acknowledgements

This work was completed while the first author held a Canadian Research Chair.

Disclosure statement

No potential conflict of interest was reported by the authors.

Notes

1. We represent sociology, psychology, nursing, occupational therapy, and kinesiology as well as interdisciplinary studies.

2. We have drawn upon literature within art therapy as well as literature within the domain of arts for well-being in order convey the potential of both. However, our workshops were grounded in an approach emphasizing art itself and to some extent, art for well-being.