Dailės terapijos poveikis valgymo sutrikimų turinčių asmenų kūno savivokai ; The influence of art therapy to the body image perception of persons with eating disorders

Research purpose - to analyze and present effects of art therapy to body perception of persons with eating disorders. Research tasks and questions. Task: 1. To evaluate the change of acceptance of self-esteem and body shape perception due to art therapy, according to Rosenberg self-esteem scale and body shape questionnaire. Questions: 1. What trends are observed in changes of chosen formal and iconographical elements of the paintings of persons using art therapy? 2. How person’s experiences in art therapy of accepting an adequate body image can be described using thematic analysis? 3. Does the correlation of data received using different methods justify the effect of art therapy to patients with eating disorders? Research methods. Mixed research was made using Rosenberg self-esteem scale, body shape questionnaire, chosen formal and iconographical elements analysis, thematic analysis of semi-structured interviews. Research participants. 7 women. Selection – purposive. Selection criteria: a) diagnosed with eating disorder (F50.0 – F50.9); b) was hospitalized in “Universitetinis Valgymo sutrikimų centras”. Research results. The research cleared aspects which revealed the essence of images and experiences in analyzing perception of body image. 1) in images a shift in composition can be observed from center – focused to freely (loosely) – focused; 2) statistical data showed positive dynamics in evaluation of patient’s perception of body shape and self-esteem; 3) while comparing and discussing results of all means taken, the usefulness of art therapy in analyzing perception of body image became clear. Conclusion. With Rosenberg self-esteem scale and body shape questionnaire values before and after art therapy taken into comparison, statistically significant differences were obtained, indicating increase in self-esteem and more adequate perception of body image after art therapy. Art therapy does have effect on adequacy of perception of body image after therapy. The image of human body during art therapy sessions varied and was given a sense as a solid subject, rather than objectified object. Recomendations. Art therapy should be used in assistance to form an adequate body image to persons with eating disorders. Scientific studies involved art therapy and persons with eating disorders and their perspective of body image should be continued for possibility to test directives of art therapy and to suggest their outcome.