The psychopathology of everyday art: a quantitative Study - World ...

expression of unsocial feelings of the patient. The interaction itself seemed to be the main
benefit to the patient and the art was most useful as an environment for it.
Supportive relationships
From 14 patients (2 young females and 12 young adult males) 11 were retarded. Various
techniques were used with the aim of increasing self esteem through acquiring control over
the materials and skill which, it was claimed, would then generalise an understanding of
internal control in other areas of the patient's life and increase self awareness. It was
emphasised that art was most useful as an environment, especially with retarded people,
because it provided an atmosphere of equality and respect with natural interaction
Summary for case studies primarily benefitting from the therapeutic relationship
Mostly, drawings were said to illustrate the present situation of the patient and thus
change it in an analogy to psychotherapy. In the nurturing relationships, the therapist
implemented change through other procedures than art, but used art as a containment area
(or holding environment). Communicative relationships also used the art environment as
a base for interactive therapy, although the therapists pointed out elements which were
said to refer to feelings, it was from a personal knowledge of the patient rather than from
any characteristics inherent in the art. The naturally nonthreatening environment was
again the main benefit of art in supportive relationships, although some of what was
reported was not therapy orientated but occupational, in that there was no change in the
patient expected.
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