Composing hope through collage: A community-based intervention for cancer survivors living with lymphedema

Situating our selves: using mixed media to convey experiences of psychosocial cancer research

BACKGROUND

In contrast to the field of art therapy, the use of art-making as a form of reflective or creative practice by social scientists by themselves or for themselves has been limited. In this article, we describe the impetus and outcomes for collective art-making within our group of seven health researchers.

METHODS

As a group, we represent sociology, psychology, nursing, occupational therapy, and kinesiology, as well as interdisciplinary studies. Guided by a professional artist, we engaged with mixed media to explore our experiences as psychosocial cancer researchers.

RESULTS

Findings are brought to light through a process and outcome narrative that highlights the meaningfulness of cancer to researchers.

CONCLUSIONS

Key learnings could inform initiatives that other health researchers might undertake if choosing to expand beyond prevalent models of art as intervention for those who are ill to more fully engage those who explore such lines of inquiry.