Publication
Observational Associations Between Visual Imagery and Measures of Depression, Anxiety, and Post-Traumatic Stress
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Objectives: To compare recurring themes in the artistic expression of SMs with PTSD, TBI, and PH conditions with measurable psychiatric diagnoses. Affective symptoms and struggles related to verbally expressing information can limit communication in individuals with post-traumatic stress symptoms and deployment-related health conditions. Visual self-expression through art therapy is an alternative way for military service members (SMs) with post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD) and other psychological health (PH) conditions to communicate their lived experiences. This study offers the first systematic examination of associations between visual self-expression and how it relates to standardized clinical self-report measures. Primary Outcomes: Associations between scores on the PTSD Checklist-Military (PCL-M), the Patient Health Questionnaire-9, and the Generalized Anxiety Disorder 7-item scale on visual themes in depictions of aspects of individual identity (psychological injury, military symbols, military identity, and visual metaphors). Results: Comparisons of the visual and clinical data indicate that SMs who depicted psychological injury also had higher scores for post-traumatic stress and depression. However, the depiction of military unit identity, nature metaphors, sociocultural metaphors, and cultural and historical characters was associated with lower post-traumatic stress, depression, and anxiety scores. Similarly, the use of color-related symbolism and fragmented military symbols was associated with higher anxiety, depression, and post-traumatic stress scores. Conclusions: There are emergent patterns of resilience and risk embedded in the use of images created by the participants, which in turn could provide valuable information for patients, clinicians, and caregivers serving this population. Active duty military service members with a history of TBI, PTS, and related psychological health conditions receiving treatment at the National Intrepid Center of Excellence (NICoE).
Objectives: To compare recurring themes in the artistic expression of SMs with PTSD, TBI, and PH conditions with measurable psychiatric diagnoses. Affective symptoms and struggles related to verbally expressing information can limit communication in individuals with post-traumatic stress symptoms and deployment-related health conditions. Visual self-expression through art therapy is an alternative way for military service members (SMs) with post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD) and other psychological health (PH) conditions to communicate their lived experiences. This study offers the first systematic examination of associations between visual self-expression and how it relates to standardized clinical self-report measures. Primary Outcomes: Associations between scores on the PTSD Checklist-Military (PCL-M), the Patient Health Questionnaire-9, and the Generalized Anxiety Disorder 7-item scale on visual themes in depictions of aspects of individual identity (psychological injury, military symbols, military identity, and visual metaphors). Results: Comparisons of the visual and clinical data indicate that SMs who depicted psychological injury also had higher scores for post-traumatic stress and depression. However, the depiction of military unit identity, nature metaphors, sociocultural metaphors, and cultural and historical characters was associated with lower post-traumatic stress, depression, and anxiety scores. Similarly, the use of color-related symbolism and fragmented military symbols was associated with higher anxiety, depression, and post-traumatic stress scores. Conclusions: There are emergent patterns of resilience and risk embedded in the use of images created by the participants, which in turn could provide valuable information for patients, clinicians, and caregivers serving this population. Active duty military service members with a history of TBI, PTS, and related psychological health conditions receiving treatment at the National Intrepid Center of Excellence (NICoE).
Kaimal, G., Walker, M. S., Herres, J., French, L.M., & DeGraba, T. J.
2018
BMJ Open (Impact factor = 2.692)
8(6), 1-9
Active duty service members with history of TBI, PTS, related psychological health symptoms; N=370
Art therapy sessions in week 1 of a 4-week intensive outpatient treatment program
Observational study
PTSD Checklist-Military, PHQ-9, GAD-7, visual themes in depictions of aspects of individual identity