Mapping the waters: A scoping review of the use of visual arts in pediatric populations with health conditions

Abstract

Objectives: Visual art is a powerful and expressive communication tool with utility in pediatric settings. We undertook a scoping review to understand how visual arts (e.g. drawing, painting) are used in pediatric populations with health (i.e. medical and psychiatric) conditions. Methods: CINAHL, SCOPUS and PubMed were searched (2001)(2002)(2003)(2004)(2005)(2006)(2007)(2008)(2009)(2010)(2011). We used systematic methods for study selection and data extraction. We conducted a descriptive analysis and categorized studies according to the purpose of the artistic intervention. Results: Of 1767 articles retrieved, 16 met the inclusion criteria. Visual art was most commonly used with the conditions of autism and post-traumatic stress disorder. Findings illuminate the use of art visual as a mechanism to facilitate or reduce specific child attributes (e.g. self-efficacy, anxiety) and to facilitate understanding through communication or assessment. Conclusions: This review provides information about the uses of visual art in pediatric populations with health conditions, as well as gaps in existing research.Art is a powerful and ancient communication tool. The scope of what constitutes art is varied and ranges from highly inclusive perspectives (e.g. art is all around us) to more narrowly conceived definitions (e.g. fine art). Traditionally, visual art is regarded as an artistic subset inclusive of those art forms amendable to visual perception, such as painting, drawing or sculpture. In pediatric populations with health conditions, either medical or psychiatric in nature, visual art is most frequently recognized for its utility in therapy and has been employed by numerous health and allied health professions (e.g. social work, psychology) both within and outside of the hospital setting. However, although visual art has been used as art therapy with children in multiple settings, little is known about the various uses of art in pediatric populations with health conditions and alternative applications of visual art are not fully explored. Understanding how visual art is used in children with health conditions, including the reasons for using art therapy, is therefore necessary.In a preliminary search of the literature, we identified two systematic reviews on the use of music in pediatric health care

Intersections of the arts and nursing knowledge

“…Conversely, while commonly used arts‐based data collection strategies such as drawing align with children's development and are often used for purposes of psychological investigation (Archibald, Scott, & Hartling, ), drawing with adults is often diagrammatic and suggestive of what an individual finds important (Luthy et al., ). Understanding how specific arts‐based approaches align with participant characteristics, and understanding the typical nature of engagement between various population groups and the arts is necessary to leverage arts’ full potential contributions to knowing about participants and their experiences (Archibald et al., b).…”

“…Conversely, while commonly used arts-based data collection strategies such as drawing align with children's development and are often used for purposes of psychological investigation (Archibald, Scott, & Hartling, 2014), drawing with adults is often diagrammatic and suggestive of what an individual finds important (Luthy et al, 2013).…”

Expressive Arts Therapy with Hospitalized Children: A Pilot Study of Co-Creating Healing Sock Creatures©

“…Expressive arts can be effective in supporting a process of healing by helping children access, process, and integrate traumatic material, to promote appropriate resolution (Carey, 2006). Visual art reduces symptoms associated with adverse medical diagnoses, thus facilitating reconnections of neural pathways (Archibald, Scott, & Hartling, 2014). The arts can provide coping methods that help pediatric patients not only focus their attention away from their painful or frightening medical procedures (Blount et al, 2009), but create an avenue to ultimately master traumatic events.…”

Effectiveness of art therapy with pediatric populations affected by medical health conditions: a systematic review

“…The scope of what constitutes art therapy is diverse and both the approaches and the aims of delivery can vary extensively from setting to setting (Archibald, Scott, & Hartling, 2014). The theoretical framework of art in a pediatric medical setting suggests that art-based interventions can promote a sense of control and mastery (Waller, 2006) in children in unfamiliar clinical settings (Rollin, Drescher, & Kellehr, 2012).…”

“…Art therapy and therapeutic art making are often grouped together, making the process and impact of art therapy difficult to understand (Angheluta & Lee, 2011). A scoping review (Archibald et al, 2014) of 16 studies investigating the use of art therapy with children living with medical conditions identified substantial variation among the studies it included, in terms of the descriptions of art therapy, the methods and designs employed, and measurement and outcomes reported. Overall, this review suggested that the use of art therapy with chronically ill children fell into two categories: 1) art therapy to foster understanding and 2) art therapy to enhance or reduce attributes.…”