Bridging psychological barriers between the child and the father after his returning from the war: Could group art therapy help?
Introduction. War veterans with chronic post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD) have poorer family and parenting functioning, but little research has focused on these impairments. Case re-port. This paper presented how the series of drawings and the group art therapy process enhanced bridging...
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| Main Author: | |
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| Format: | Article |
| Language: | English |
| Published: |
Ministry of Defence of the Republic of Serbia, University of Defence, Belgrade
2016-01-01
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| Series: | Vojnosanitetski Pregled |
| Subjects: | |
| Online Access: | http://www.doiserbia.nb.rs/img/doi/0042-8450/2016/0042-84501500082M.pdf |
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| Summary: | Introduction. War veterans with chronic post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD)
have poorer family and parenting functioning, but little research has
focused on these impairments. Case re-port. This paper presented how the
series of drawings and the group art therapy process enhanced bridging the
psychological barriers of a 33-year-old male PTSD war veteran to engagement
with the child. After two years of deployment he returned home and suffered
mostly from PTSD numbness and avoidance symptoms. The veteran had the family
readjustment difficulties and felt guilty for being detached from his
3-year-old son. He under-went integrative treatment in the Day Unit Program.
The drawings series were made by free associations. Clinical observations
and group discussions were recorded in the group art therapy protocols. The
presented patient got gratifications and support from the group members for
his illustration of popular cartoon heroes, and decided to draw Mickey Mouse
at home. On the next session he shared his satisfaction for bridging the gap
between him and his son, having done the same drawings with his son at home.
Beck's depression inventory (BDI) was used for self-rating of depression and
a reduction of BDI score from 18 to 6 during the treatment course was
recorded. Conclusions. Series of drawings illustrated shift from war related
past toward current family life of the war veteran. Group art therapy gave
him gratification and support with hope and a sense of belonging, thus
facilitated his parenting readjustment. |
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| ISSN: | 0042-8450 2406-0720 |