There are several factors that differentiate individuals who thrive under adversity from those who crack, the foremost being resilience. In recent years, this personality trait has become commonly associated with mental and emotional well-being and as a guard against mental disorders by helping people positively cope with adversity. Among the various definitions coined by Psychologists, the one that resonates with me the most refers to resilience not as the as the absence of adversity or distressing emotion but the way in which we cope in the face of this (Luthar, 1991). Given all the advantages of having a resilient personality, questions such as what factors influence this trait and whether it can be developed and nurtured become of utmost importance. After decades of Psychological research on this topic, we now know that it is a combination of both genetic and environmental factors that impact an individual’s resilience, and that it can be developed given the right environment and the right resources (Reich, Zautra & Hall, 2010). Several methods and therapies have emerged to teach people how to become resilient, one that is becoming increasingly popular in the modern world is through the process of creating art. Since its inception, art therapy and art expression have become widely associated with mental well-being. As they evolved from their psychoanalytic origins to a less medical framework, resilience emerged as one of the key areas in this field.
The way we process information and emotions is highly subjective, and therefore the way we cope with stressors in our environment also varies from person to person. While some individuals make use of their cognitive abilities (problem solving, decision making, logic and reasoning), others may find it more useful to cope by accessing their emotions and senses. The unique advantage of art-based techniques stems from their potential to work through all these different domains. A common challenge faced by many of us is being comfortable in sharing our own thoughts and feelings. By providing a non-verbal outlet, art allows us to express these internal thoughts and feelings and builds the capacity to accept the emotions that emerge. Despite the various different forms of art-based techniques, their central approach involves making art in a non-judgemental, safe and accepting environment (Kalmanowitz, 2016).
According to Dr. Cathy Malchiodi (2015), the resilience-enhancing capacities of art expression, within the characteristics of art making itself and are not found in any one particular art-based activity.
In her research, she highlights a number of ways on how art expression and therapy enhance resilience in people:
Quality of Life. Perception of quality of life is a crucial component of personal resilience, regardless of physical health or psychosocial challenges. Art has shown increase the perception of quality of life especially in individuals suffering from chronic illnesses like cancer and dementia.
Affect-Regulation. Recent evidence has shown that creative artistic activities have the ability to regulate our emotions and moods more effectively than other forms of therapy. In the process of creating art, the creative and imaginative processes are harnessed which facilitate the processing of traumatic material in accordance with the needs of the individual - using the senses, emotions, cognition as well as the unconscious. Studies also highlight that under certain circumstances viewing great works of art brings about a chemical cascade similar to the sensation of “falling in love.”
Mastery. The experience of mastery is found through a variety of action-oriented experiences and builds confidence not only in specific skills, but also in the larger realm of personal efficacy. The sensory-based, action-oriented qualities of art expression, whether drawing, painting, sculpting, assembling, constructing or crafting, naturally support capability, competency and personal strengths. Creative endeavors are not only self-rewarding, they are also tangible moments of mastery and personal empowerment that enhance the self holistically.
Relation with the Facilitator The involvement of multiple senses (visual, tactile, kinesthetic), along with the specific interpersonal exchanges between the facilitator and individual makes art transformative in ways that verbal therapy on its own is not. It is this relational aspect through which personal strengths, reparation and recovery are often realized which reinforces resilience in the individual.
They above images showcase the beautiful artwork made by young children rescued from commercial sex work in Mumbai. Over a period of one month, we held sessions in which we worked on their ability to express, share their needs, overcome obstacles and realise the resources required for them to live a holistic and happy life. The children originally came up with drawings and paintings which were later converted into a mural portraying their life journey, the strength required to overcome obstacles and their transition towards a happy and healthy life. Through these sessions, the children not only developed strength and resilience but also recognized and accepted their emotions and needs to live a holistic and independent life.
More than any psychological research or evidence, the inspiring story of these young children truly demonstrates how resilience can be nurtured through art. Artistic practice is not merely about the end product, what really brings about the process of transformation are the qualities - imagination, creativity, the ability to symbolise, to work cognitively as well as kinaesthetically ( done through our limbs) which are accessed in the process of creating art.
We hope this gave you an insight into our world of art-based techniques and their relevance in today’s world! As well as towards taking the 1st step to synching with resilience !
Unlock your magic with Heart to Art by Vriti Bajaj, register for our workshop uncover positivity – identify your strengths on 21st November to discover how to nurture resilience.
This blog has been Conceptualised by Vedica & Parth Bhatnagar our youth bloggers and Vriti Bajaj.
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1. Kalmanowitz, D. (2016). Inhabited studio: Art therapy and mindfulness, resilience, adversity and refugees. International Journal of Art Therapy, 21(2), 75–84. https://doi.org/10.1080/17454832.2016.1170053
2. Luthar, S. S. (1991). Vulnerability and resilience: A study of high–risk adolescents. Child Development, 62, 600–616. doi: 10.2307/1131134
3. Malchiodi, C. (2015, August 31). Art is about resilience, it always has been. Retrieved August 31, 2015, from https://www.psychologytoday.com/blog/arts-and-health/201508/art-is-about....
4. Reich, J. W., Zautra, A. J., & Hall, J. S. (2010). Handbook of Adult Resilience. Guilford Press.
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