V Estrada Gonzalez, V Meletaki, M Walker, J Payano Sosa, A Stamper, R Srikanchana, J L King, K Scott, E R Cardillo, C Sours Rhodes, A P Christensen, K M Darda, C I Workman, A Chatterjee
Among disabling post-traumatic stress symptoms (PTSS) are irritability, aggressive behavior, distressing memories and general impaired cognition and negative mood. Art therapy interventions, including mask-making, can potentially alleviate these symptoms. We tested the hypothesis that art conveys emotions and predicted that blinded viewers would be able to perceive changes in theoretically derived emotional profiles expressed in art made by military personnel with PTSS from the onset to the end of therapy. Five service members and veterans exhibiting PTSS were enrolled in an 8-session art therapy protocol, during which they artistically transformed papier-mâché masks at the beginning and end of the protocol...
March 26, 2024: Scientific Reports