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A Novel Landscape for Understanding Physical and Mental Health_Body Mapping Research with Youth Experiencing Psychosis820.61 kB
Published VersionCC BY-NC-ND V4.0, Open Access
Journal article
A Novel Landscape for Understanding Physical and Mental Health: Body Mapping Research with Youth Experiencing Psychosis
Art/Research International: A Transdisciplinary Journal, Vol.3(2), pp.236-261
2018
Abstract
Estimates indicate the lifespan of individuals with psychotic illness is reduced by approximately 15-20 years. Consequently there is a need to address the physical health of those who live with a mental illness, like psychosis. The Bondi Centre provides an integrated model of care to young people with a first episode of psychosis. The Keeping the Body In Mind program focuses on prevention and early intervention of physical health issues and is offered alongside treatment for mental health and social issues as part of routine care. We used body mapping, an arts-based research method, to explore the complexity of this physical health intervention. Our aim was to develop an in-depth understanding of experiences of young clients of the early intervention centre, with a particular focus on the embodied relationship between physical and mental health. Six young people engaged in creating life-sized body maps depicting their experience of the physical intervention program over four 3-hour sessions, followed by an in-depth interview. Analysis of our body maps drew on thematic analysis and narrative inquiry. The narrative trope was one of recovery, highlighting the importance of the link between body and mind, individual and community, and the balance between light and darkness. There was an emphasis on developing feelings of connectedness (to self and others), hope and optimism for the future, a sense of having an identity, and a sense of meaning and empowerment. Recovery was conceptualised as an ongoing process rather than an end product or fixed state. Involvement in the body mapping process was consistently identified as therapeutic, offering an opportunity for reflection on the journey to recovery with a focus on past, present and imagined storylines of the future.
Details
- Title
- A Novel Landscape for Understanding Physical and Mental Health: Body Mapping Research with Youth Experiencing Psychosis
- Authors
- Katherine Boydell (Author) - UNSW AustraliaJeffrey Ball (Author) - Canterbury HospitalJackie Curtis (Author) - Bondi ClinicAdèle De Jager (Author) - Black Dog InstituteMegan Kalucy (Author) - Bondi ClinicJulia Lappin (Author) - UNSW AustraliaSimon Rosenbaum (Author) - UNSW AustraliaAnna Tewson (Author) - Black Dog InstitutePriya Vaughan (Author) - Australian National UniversityPhilip Ward (Author) - UNSW AustraliaAndrew Watkins (Author) - New South Wales Health
- Publication details
- Art/Research International: A Transdisciplinary Journal, Vol.3(2), pp.236-261
- Publisher
- University of Alberta Libraries
- Date published
- 2018
- DOI
- 10.18432/ari29337
- ISSN
- 2371-3771
- Copyright note
- Copyright (c) 2018 Art/Research International: A Transdisciplinary Journal. This work is licensed under a Creative Commons Attribution-NonCommercial-NoDerivatives 4.0 International License.
- Organisation Unit
- University of the Sunshine Coast, Queensland; Thompson Institute
- Language
- English
- Record Identifier
- 99472504602621
- Output Type
- Journal article
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