Arts in Psychotherapy
Volume 66, 2019
Exploring the effectiveness of the Tree of Life in promoting the therapeutic growth or refugee women living with HIV (Article)
Vitale A.* ,
Khawaja N.G. ,
Ryde J.
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a
Bath Spa University, Newton Park, Bath, United Kingdom
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b
Queensland University of Technology, Australia
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c
Trauma Foundation South West, United Kingdom
Abstract
The current study aimed to understand the experiences of refugee women living with HIV as they participated in the Tree of Life (ToL), a group-based narrative technique. A qualitative case study methodology was used. Five African refugee women took part in the study. The ToL consisted of seven two-hourly sessions conducted on weekly basis. Further, participants completed a feedback form after each session, and they were individually interviewed on completion of the ToL. The researchers kept detailed field notes. The data indicated that participants were motivated to attend the intervention in order to overcome their psychological distress, isolation and negative thoughts associated with their situation. Participants found the intervention beneficial. In a safe and supportive setting, and through the art making process, they were able to reflect on their painful past and current issues associated with their migratory stressors and with living with HIV. They identified personal strengths and qualities that enabled them to cope and build their resilience. The art making process and the discussion of the tree empowered them to re-author their life narratives. Finally, they related to each other and they developed a sense of connectedness. The findings indicate the Tree of Life as a promising technique for use with refugees living with HIV. Implications and future directions are discussed. © 2019
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Link
https://www.scopus.com/inward/record.uri?eid=2-s2.0-85075313819&doi=10.1016%2fj.aip.2019.101602&partnerID=40&md5=7f435f9e4495deb7ba19f2985ca7e230
DOI: 10.1016/j.aip.2019.101602
ISSN: 01974556
Original Language: English