[Between filiation and affiliation, constructing an identity through drawing in anorexia]

Area of Science:

• Psychology
• Art Therapy
• Adolescent Development

Background:

• Anorexia nervosa presents significant challenges for adolescents, impacting self-expression and identity formation.
• Children of migrants often face unique struggles with identity due to dual cultural influences and familial expectations.
• Self-expression through creative means can be a crucial coping mechanism for individuals experiencing psychological distress.

Purpose of the Study:

• To examine the role of drawing as a medium for self-expression in a French-Korean teenager with anorexia.
• To understand how artistic creation aids in the search for identity among adolescents with migrant backgrounds.
• To explore drawing as a tool for mediating complex internal experiences and fostering creativity.

Main Methods:

• Qualitative case study analysis.
• Examination of the subject's graphic creations.
• Exploration of the therapeutic potential of art in adolescent mental health.

Main Results:

• Drawing served as a primary means of self-expression for the teenager.
• Graphic creations visually represented the adolescent's struggle with identity and filiation.
• Art provided a tangible object for mediation, giving meaning to internal experiences.

Conclusions:

• Artistic expression, specifically drawing, can be a powerful therapeutic tool for adolescents with anorexia.
• Creative outlets are essential for identity exploration, particularly for children of migrants navigating complex familial and cultural contexts.
• Drawing facilitated meaning-making and creativity, offering a unique pathway for psychological processing.