Developing evidence for Art Psychotherapy in perinatal mental health
Research type
Research Study
Full title
Developing an evidence base for the use of Art Psychotherapy within a perinatal mental health service
IRAS ID
272551
Contact name
Jamie Bird
Contact email
Sponsor organisation
University of Derby
Clinicaltrials.gov Identifier
Duration of Study in the UK
1 years, 0 months, 1 days
Research summary
The aim of this study is to measure the effect of Art Psychotherapy on a perinatal client group (during pregnancy or up to a year after giving birth) within an inpatient Mother and Baby Unit for a period of one year. The effect of the intervention on a group of inpatients will be compared to the control group of a wait list inpatient group who will receive care as usual within the unit. The intervention will then be offered to the wait list group, following their discharge from the unit. Art Therapy is a form of psychotherapy, which uses art materials as a method of expression and communication of emotions.
The researcher will use brief questionnaires with participants, measuring changes in wellbeing, quality of life and bond with their infant during their six weeks of individual Art Therapy sessions. This will produce numerical data which can then be analysed to identify any changes, a potential benefit to the client group is that there will be positive changes in these areas during therapy. The researcher also aims to capture the participants experience of Art Therapy by interviewing them and analysing their responses for themes which show changes following therapy.
The study is funded by the University of Derby and supported by The Beeches, Mother and Baby Unit, to which individuals are admitted while experiencing a range of mental health diagnoses during the perinatal term. All English speaking individuals, aged 18 or over, admitted to The Beeches during the term of the research will be eligible for inclusion in the study, should they wish to consent to do so. Participants will be randomly allocated to either a waiting list to receive Art Therapy at a later date or to start Art Therapy immediately.
REC name
East Midlands - Leicester Central Research Ethics Committee
REC reference
20/EM/0038
Date of REC Opinion
16 Mar 2020
REC opinion
Further Information Favourable Opinion