Kuin kuvastimesta : Sielunhoidollisen kohtaamisen mahdollisuuksia taidelähtöisessä ryhmätoiminnassa

In response to growing evidence of the connections between art, health and wellbeing in both research and practice, the use of arts-based methods has rapidly increased across many areas in society over the last few decades. This is evident also in the Finnish Evangelical Lutheran Church, however there is a paucity of theological research on the topic. This doctoral research aims to fill this gap, focusing on the kinds of encounters generated by arts-based action in a congregational setting with youth and young adults. This research was conducted as an arts-based action study in cooperation with three youth workers and one student chaplain. The research data was collected over four youth night meetings and two art groups through observation, video, photographs, and interviews. Of the 63 youths and young adults involved, 28 of them also took part in an open-ended discussion, interview, or both. The data was analysed inductively using holistic content analysis, elucidating participants’ perspectives, experiences, and interactions. The results were examined through theories of pastoral care, art therapy and arts-based methodology. This study shows that arts-based action brings out new and valuable possibilities for pastoral care encounters with youth and young adults. Artistic expression enables holistic experiences and diverse interactions around the art works produced on the participant’s own terms. Significantly, this can give the young person the valuable experience of being noticed and seen, even if unable to fully depict their art. Existential questions and spirituality came up as difficult themes to verbalise for the youth, though, at the same time the most challenging works were often the most significant for the participant. The findings in this study form an excellent standpoint for the future use of art in pastoral encounters in a congregational setting. Arts-based action can create a holistic and dialogic potential space of encounter in which the spiritual dimension is a natural part. This confirms earlier findings on the strengths of arts-based methods, highlighting its potential for including spirituality and faith. Importantly, the ethical use of art in such encounters necessitates a respect for the interpretation and space of the art-makers themselves. Only in this way can the encounter be a genuinely nurturing pastoral occasion.

Grantor dc:publisher

Helsingin yliopisto

Year dc:date.issued

2018

Author dc:creator

• Vilja-Mantere, Johanna

Statement dc:rights

• Julkaisu on tekijänoikeussäännösten alainen. Teosta voi lukea ja tulostaa henkilökohtaista käyttöä varten. Käyttö kaupallisiin tarkoituksiin on kielletty.
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• Publikationen är skyddad av upphovsrätten. Den får läsas och skrivas ut för personligt bruk. Användning i kommersiellt syfte är förbjuden.

Language dc:language.iso

fin

Handle dc:identifier.uri

http://hdl.handle.net/10138/243950

OAI identifier oai:identifier

oai:helda.helsinki.fi:10138/243950