Migrating art: a research design to support refugees' recovery from trauma – a pilot study

ABSTRACT

An international challenge is presented by the unprecedented number of refugees worldwide, many of whom have undergone psychological and social stresses associated with migration and who consequently experience mental health disorders. A growing number of organizations recognize the role of art in supporting refugees to support recovery from trauma, and this pilot study in participatory arts is designed to contribute to the field. The research was undertaken with a charity supporting pre- and post-natal women refugees who are victims of rape, trafficking, sexual violence, domestic servitude and other forms of gender based violence and human rights abuses. The research explores the benefits of painting landscapes through re-imagining places experienced as a ‘safe-haven’, or journey towards safety. The research design is explored with a view to inform a further research study using the approach to evaluate a participatory arts workshop model that support refugees’ recovery and transition.

KEYWORDS:

• Refugees
• research design
• participatory arts
• recovery
• re-imagining place

Disclosure statement

No potential conflict of interest was reported by the authors.

Additional information

Notes on contributors

Emma Rose

Emma Rose's research concerns the role of art in health and wellbeing underpinned by the theoretical lens of therapeutic landscapes, as it offers a means through which to conceptualize how particular spaces can contribute to an individual's mental and physical wellbeing. Her research utilizes this concept to investigate the role of participatory arts interventions for groups marginalized by society. Recent projects have engaged with women refugees affected by gender-based violence, refugees who are survivors of torture, the ageing population, those living with dementia and transgender people.

Amanda Bingley

Amanda Bingley has research interests in the relationship between mental health and place. She has a background in psychotherapy and in cultural geography, and teaches qualitative methods with a focus on narrative research and creative arts. Her research includes exploring therapeutic landscapes as greenspace for health and wellbeing in older and young people; health and place in relation to end of life and dementia care; and the use of participatory arts most recently in research with migrant women, and with children involved in disaster, their recovery and resilience in a UK and EU wide context.