Learning Disability Group Art Therapy: Looking and Asking
Research type
Research Study
Full title
Group art therapy practice for people with a learning disability (GATher-LD): A qualitative study
IRAS ID
297440
Contact name
Nicki Power
Contact email
Sponsor organisation
Queen Mary, University of London
Duration of Study in the UK
1 years, 2 months, 31 days
Research summary
Research Summary: This research explored five art therapy groups for adults with learning disabilities and mental distress in community settings in England. It aimed to describe the characteristics of the art therapy groups along with the practice approaches used by art therapists which supported engagement and access for participants. It also aimed to understand participant experiences of group art therapy, particularly in relation to potential changes they attributed to attending group art therapy and any suggestions related to improvement or changes in practice.
People with learning disabilities (PWLD) are more likely to have untreated mental illness. This can lead to increased suffering and earlier death. Art therapy might help. It uses art making and some talking to support people to share their feelings and experiences without needing to use lots of words.There is limited published evidence about art therapy groups with PWLD in the last 12 years, but we know from a national professional network of art therapists that they regularly run art therapy groups both within the NHS and in other settings, for PWLD. Groups can help people by increasing their social networks and by sharing their experiences, which reduces isolation. Groups are also more efficient as fewer staff can support more people, than in individual therapy.
This research will help to:
1. Understand what happens in art therapy and how the combination of art and talking helps PWLD.
2. Understand the changes PWLD have experienced which might be linked to attending their art therapy group.
3. Share the views of PWLD and the views of people who support them, about what helps and what gets in the way when attending an art therapy group.The researcher will do this by talking to art therapists, people with learning disabilities and carers/family members. She will also visit some art therapy groups to see first-hand what happens in those groups. She will visit up to five different parts of the UK. Some of these groups will be in the NHS and some will be run by other organisations, like charities.
We expect that PWLD who decide to be part of the study will be involved for up to seven months, the art therapists will be involved for up to 13 months and the researcher will meet paid carers or family members once during the study.
REC name
London - Riverside Research Ethics Committee
REC reference
22/PR/0981
Date of REC Opinion
2 Sep 2022
REC opinion
Further Information Favourable Opinion