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Creative achievement and psychopathology: comparison among professions
1Department of Psychiatry, University of Kentucky Medical Center, Lexington 40536.
American Journal of Psychotherapy
|July 1, 1992
Summary
Creative professionals show varied psychopathology rates, with some mental disturbances linked to creative achievement across professions. This study analyzed biographies of 1,005 individuals from 18 professions.
Area of Science:
- Psychology
- Sociology
- Arts and Humanities
Background:
- The relationship between creativity and mental health has long been debated.
- Previous research suggests potential links between artistic professions and psychopathology.
Purpose of the Study:
- To investigate if creative arts professionals exhibit higher psychopathology rates compared to other professions.
- To determine if a correlation exists between creative achievement and mental disturbance.
Main Methods:
- Biographical data of 1,005 individuals from 18 professions were analyzed.
- The study period spanned 30 years (1960-1990), using New York Times Book Review biographies.
- Psychopathology and creative achievement levels were assessed for each profession.
Main Results:
- Psychopathology patterns varied across different professions and life stages.
- Creative achievement levels differed significantly among various professions.
- Specific psychopathological traits were associated with creative achievement universally.
Conclusions:
- No universal link between creative professions and psychopathology was found.
- The association between mental disturbance and creative achievement is complex and profession-dependent.
- Certain psychopathological aspects may co-occur with high creative achievement across diverse fields.
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