Self-perceived relations between artistic creativity and mental illness: a study into lived experiences.

Area of Science:

• Psychology
• Arts and Humanities
• Mental Health Research

Background:

• The link between mental illness and artistic creativity is an ancient concept with ongoing debate.
• Existing evidence suggests a correlation, but the nature of this relationship remains unclear.
• Qualitative research on this topic is limited, often focusing on the therapeutic benefits of arts participation for individuals with mental illness.

Purpose of the Study:

• To investigate the self-perceived connections between experiences of creativity and mental illness.
• To understand the subjective meanings individuals ascribe to these interrelationships.

Main Methods:

• An explorative, interpretive qualitative study design was employed.
• Twenty-four professional and semi-professional artists with self-reported mental illness experiences were recruited.
• Unstructured in-depth interviews were conducted, with transcripts analyzed using a hermeneutic phenomenological approach.

Main Results:

• Participants described diverse interactions between their artistic creativity and mental illness.
• Three key patterns emerged: "flow as a powerful force," "ambiguous self-manifestation," and "narrating experiences of suffering."

Conclusions:

• Creativity, mental illness, and their interrelations are complex and context-dependent phenomena.
• Findings challenge polarized academic debates and offer insights into artists' lived experiences.
• Understanding these experiences can inform the role of art in public mental health and clinical care.