Social isolation is a problem that has been highlighted and exacerbated by the COVID-19 pandemic, but has arguably been a worsening part of the modern condition. Research suggests that social isolation poses significant risks to our well-being is “as strong a risk factor for morbidity and mortality as smoking, obesity, sedentary lifestyle, and high blood pressure.” Perceived isolation (loneliness) creates feelings of emotional pain. Like physical pain, the emotional pain of loneliness can be adaptive. Physical pain is a signal of the body that something is wrong and needs to be avoided or stopped. Touching the stove is painful because getting burned by something hot causes tissue damage which threatens health and well-being. Similarly, loneliness is a signal that our social connections may be deteriorating and need reinforcement. Loneliness encourages us to reach out to our friends, family, mentors, and community for support and comfort.
Therapeutic groups, particularly fiber arts groups, provide another avenue for reducing isolation and promoting social connections. Yalom observed that participants in group therapy not only benefit from the guidance of the therapist but they also make connections with and learn from each other. Based on these observations he identified specific factors that are addressed through group psychotherapy (listed below).
While all of these factors are important, therapists facilitating groups may emphasize some factors more than others depending on the population they are serving and their goals. In my practice I have had the opportunity to facilitate groups for art therapy graduate students, social workers and psychiatrists in their workplace, and adults with mental health conditions in both clinical and community-based settings. The infographic below highlights which factors I emphasize when working with each population. Groups with students are primarily didactic, they are there to learn how to be art therapists. They are also balancing multiple demands including rigorous coursework, internship or field work placements, and developing a new work/life/school balance. With this in mind, the factors that are most important are imitative behavior (learning from modeling by the teacher/therapist and from peers) and imparting information (learning new skills, processes, and theories). Mental health professionals in a self-care group need opportunities to connect and reduce stress. The factors that are important for them are group cohesion (creating a sense of togetherness within the group) and altruism (shifting the focus from one’s own stress and problems to give back to others). Adults suffering from mental health connections are often isolated from social support networks, work, and avocational opportunities. Group factors that are important for these individuals are socialization (practicing social skills and making connections with others) and existential factors (finding meaning in life and finding a purpose).
As much as these groups differ, they also have commonalities which can be addressed in fiber arts groups. Goals for all of these groups include stress reduction, development of positive coping strategies, creative expression, and having a sense of normalcy. Yalom’s factor of universality also applies to fiber arts groups. Traditionally this refers to group members coming to understand that they are not alone or unique in their suffering. In this case, universality also means connecting to larger traditions of fiber arts across time and culture.
Corkhill described how fibers arts help to promote social engagement. She described how participants can feel more at ease with their social interactions in fiber arts groups because touching the materials and modulating eye contact creates a sense of comfort. Participants may also feel a sense of belonging through shared interests, being able to both give and receive support, learning from one another, and identifying with the fiber artist role. These lay the groundwork for other positive experiences including easy banter, raucous laughter, friendship, and sense of community. Eventually, a sense of safety is created which allows for experimentation and exploration.
For more information, check out the recording of my 2020 AATA conference presentation here.
Sources:
Cacioppo, J. T., Hawkley, L. C., Norman, G. J., & Berntson, G. G. (2011). Social isolation. Annals of the New York Academy of Sciences, 1231(1), 17–22. https://doi.org/10.1111/j.1749-6632.2011.06028.x
Yalom, I. (2005). The Theory and Practice of Group Psychotherapy. Basic Books; New York, NY.