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A Systematic Literature Review of Art Therapy on Depression Recovery

Received: 5 January 2023     Accepted: 7 February 2023     Published: 16 February 2023
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Abstract

While there is increasing interest in the use of art therapy for psychiatric conditions, there have been few systematic reviews completed on the subject. As a result, this review sought to investigate current research and bring to light its efficacy in the treatment of depression. Art therapy can be used as a therapeutic intervention for depression by using art as a medium through which to explore and express emotions, symbols, and thoughts. Furthermore, art therapy can be used in conjunction with other therapies for depression, such as psychotherapy or medication. The purpose of this systematic review was to investigate the current research into art therapy conducted on depressive disorders and to discover whether it is effective in the treatment of depression. Art therapy targets individuals with a variety of issues (e.g., anxiety, stress, low self-esteem, and grief). The therapeutic value, therefore, lies within the cathartic process one undergoes while creating and exploring their artwork from which these issues are explored and identified. The psychology of art therapy, both from a theoretical and practical perspective, is central to the theories of art therapy. Art therapists use art as the medium through which to act out the client's mental states and emotions. The systemic literature review identifies art therapy as an effective intervention for depression.

Published in International Journal of Literature and Arts (Volume 11, Issue 1)
DOI 10.11648/j.ijla.20231101.17
Page(s) 41-43
Creative Commons

This is an Open Access article, distributed under the terms of the Creative Commons Attribution 4.0 International License (http://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/4.0/), which permits unrestricted use, distribution and reproduction in any medium or format, provided the original work is properly cited.

Copyright

Copyright © The Author(s), 2023. Published by Science Publishing Group

Keywords

Art, Depression, Intense Anxiety, Psychology of Art Therapy

References
[1] Art fair showcases' unsung heroes.' (2013, July). Mental Health Practice, 16 (10), 5–5. https://doi.org/10.7748/mhp2013.07.16.10.5.s8
[2] DAI, B., QU, Z., LIU, H., & YU, B. (2013, December 13). Clinical Translation of Neuroimaging Research in Depression: A New Approach to Prevention, Diagnosis and Treatment of Depression. Advances in Psychological Science, 21 (6), 1048–1058. https://doi.org/10.3724/sp.j.1042.2013.01048
[3] Edwards, D. (2013, December 1). Art Therapy.
[4] Mansson, D. (2019, October 1). Looking to the future of depression: instant diagnosis and medication-free treatment. Future Science OA, 5 (9). https://doi.org/10.2144/fsoa-2019-0087
[5] Petocz, A. (1999, September 13). Freud, Psychoanalysis and Symbolism. https://doi.org/10.1604/9780521591522
[6] Prevalence, Severity, and Unmet Need for Treatment of Mental Disorders in the World Health Organization World Mental Health Surveys. (2004, June 2). JAMA, 291 (21), 2581. https://doi.org/10.1001/jama.291.21.2581
[7] Seedat, S., Scott, K. M., Angermeyer, M. C., Berglund, P., Bromet, E. J., Brugha, T. S., Demyttenaere, K., de Girolamo, G., Haro, J. M., Jin, R., Karam, E. G., Kovess-Masfety, V., Levinson, D., Medina Mora, M. E., Ono, Y., Ormel, J., Pennell, B. E., Posada-Villa, J., Sampson, N. A., Kessler, R. C. (2009, July 1). Cross-National Associations Between Gender and Mental Disorders in the World Health Organization World Mental Health Surveys. Archives of General Psychiatry, 66 (7), 785. https://doi.org/10.1001/archgenpsychiatry.2009.36
[8] Works of art unmasked. (2011, March). Mental Health Practice, 14 (6), 4–4. https://doi.org/10.7748/mhp.14.6.4.s1
[9] Haeyen, S., van Hooren, S., van der Veld, W. M., & Hutschemaekers, G. (2018). Promoting mental health versus reducing mental illness in art therapy with patients with personality disorders: a quantitative study. The Arts in Psychotherapy, 58, 11-16.
[10] Slayton, S. C., D'Archer, J., & Kaplan, F. (2010). Outcome studies on the efficacy of art therapy: A review of findings. Art therapy, 27 (3), 108-118.
[11] Blomdahl, C., Gunnarsson, B. A., Guregård, S., Rusner, M., Wijk, H., & Björklund, A. (2016). Art therapy for patients with depression: expert opinions on its main aspects for clinical practice. Journal of mental health, 25 (6), 527-535.
[12] McCaffrey, R., Liehr, P., Gregersen, T., & Nishioka, R. (2011). Garden walking and art therapy for depression in older adults: a pilot study. Research in gerontological nursing, 4 (4), 237-242.
[13] Hu, J., Zhang, J., Hu, L., Yu, H., & Xu, J. (2021). Art therapy: a complementary treatment for mental disorders. Frontiers in psychology, 12, 686005.
[14] Bosman, J. T., Bood, Z. M., Scherer-Rath, M., Dörr, H., Christophe, N., Sprangers, M. A., & van Laarhoven, H. W. (2021). The effects of art therapy on anxiety, depression, and quality of life in adults with cancer: a systematic literature review. Supportive Care in Cancer, 29, 2289-2298.
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  • APA Style

    Jiwon Han. (2023). A Systematic Literature Review of Art Therapy on Depression Recovery. International Journal of Literature and Arts, 11(1), 41-43. https://doi.org/10.11648/j.ijla.20231101.17

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    ACS Style

    Jiwon Han. A Systematic Literature Review of Art Therapy on Depression Recovery. Int. J. Lit. Arts 2023, 11(1), 41-43. doi: 10.11648/j.ijla.20231101.17

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    AMA Style

    Jiwon Han. A Systematic Literature Review of Art Therapy on Depression Recovery. Int J Lit Arts. 2023;11(1):41-43. doi: 10.11648/j.ijla.20231101.17

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  • @article{10.11648/j.ijla.20231101.17,
      author = {Jiwon Han},
      title = {A Systematic Literature Review of Art Therapy on Depression Recovery},
      journal = {International Journal of Literature and Arts},
      volume = {11},
      number = {1},
      pages = {41-43},
      doi = {10.11648/j.ijla.20231101.17},
      url = {https://doi.org/10.11648/j.ijla.20231101.17},
      eprint = {https://article.sciencepublishinggroup.com/pdf/10.11648.j.ijla.20231101.17},
      abstract = {While there is increasing interest in the use of art therapy for psychiatric conditions, there have been few systematic reviews completed on the subject. As a result, this review sought to investigate current research and bring to light its efficacy in the treatment of depression. Art therapy can be used as a therapeutic intervention for depression by using art as a medium through which to explore and express emotions, symbols, and thoughts. Furthermore, art therapy can be used in conjunction with other therapies for depression, such as psychotherapy or medication. The purpose of this systematic review was to investigate the current research into art therapy conducted on depressive disorders and to discover whether it is effective in the treatment of depression. Art therapy targets individuals with a variety of issues (e.g., anxiety, stress, low self-esteem, and grief). The therapeutic value, therefore, lies within the cathartic process one undergoes while creating and exploring their artwork from which these issues are explored and identified. The psychology of art therapy, both from a theoretical and practical perspective, is central to the theories of art therapy. Art therapists use art as the medium through which to act out the client's mental states and emotions. The systemic literature review identifies art therapy as an effective intervention for depression.},
     year = {2023}
    }
    

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    T2  - International Journal of Literature and Arts
    JF  - International Journal of Literature and Arts
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    AB  - While there is increasing interest in the use of art therapy for psychiatric conditions, there have been few systematic reviews completed on the subject. As a result, this review sought to investigate current research and bring to light its efficacy in the treatment of depression. Art therapy can be used as a therapeutic intervention for depression by using art as a medium through which to explore and express emotions, symbols, and thoughts. Furthermore, art therapy can be used in conjunction with other therapies for depression, such as psychotherapy or medication. The purpose of this systematic review was to investigate the current research into art therapy conducted on depressive disorders and to discover whether it is effective in the treatment of depression. Art therapy targets individuals with a variety of issues (e.g., anxiety, stress, low self-esteem, and grief). The therapeutic value, therefore, lies within the cathartic process one undergoes while creating and exploring their artwork from which these issues are explored and identified. The psychology of art therapy, both from a theoretical and practical perspective, is central to the theories of art therapy. Art therapists use art as the medium through which to act out the client's mental states and emotions. The systemic literature review identifies art therapy as an effective intervention for depression.
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Author Information
  • Seoul Scholars International Art & Design, Seoul, Korea

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