Exploring the integration of arts-informed methods in self-harm research.

Area of Science:

• Psychology
• Creative Arts Therapies
• Public Health

Background:

• Arts-informed research methods facilitate communication of sensitive experiences, especially for individuals with trauma histories.
• Verbal self-disclosure can be challenging or intimidating for participants discussing trauma.

Purpose of the Study:

• To explore the utility of arts-informed methods in understanding resilience to self-harm in young people.
• To supplement traditional qualitative interviews with visual elicitation tools.

Main Methods:

• A study involving young people exploring resilience to self-harm.
• A comprehensive literature review on arts-informed methods and self-harm.
• Analysis of visual productions from seven young adults as a supplementary qualitative tool.

Main Results:

• Visual productions provided insights into participants' experiences.
• Identified themes included connecting with self/nature, shifting perspectives, and developing coping strategies.
• Arts-informed methods enhanced the understanding of resilience in the context of self-harm.

Conclusions:

• Arts-informed methods are valuable for research on sensitive topics like self-harm.
• These methods are particularly effective for studying resilience in young people.
• Visual arts can serve as a powerful elicitation tool in qualitative research.