Forcibly displaced adults' perspectives on change mechanisms after a resilience-building art therapy intervention

Preventive interventions aimed at learning to cope with psychological stressors and building resilience could benefit most forcibly displaced persons (FDP). Limited research has been conducted to examine the usefulness of resilience-building art therapy for FDP. The aim of this exploratory study was to investigate the perspective of adult FDP on the process of change after a resilience-building art therapy intervention, i.e. to (a) identify the positive changes they experience, (b) the associated therapeutic factors, and (c) the mechanisms they believe to be responsible for these changes. An exploratory qualitive study using thematic analysis with descriptive quantitative data was conducted with 11 adult FDP who received an eight-session resilience-building group art therapy intervention. The participants identified three positive changes: (i) felt calmer, (ii) strengthened emotional skills and (iii) reinforced self. The results also highlight multiple therapeutic factors and some combinations of these, which could be possible change mechanisms. The authors suggest replicating the research to confirm and complete the results. • Preventive interventions to strengthen resilience can benefit most forcibly displaced persons. • Limited research suggests the usefulness of art therapy in building resilience. • Change mechanisms in art therapy are still imprecise. • A short group art therapy intervention designed to strengthen resilience is given. • Participants report positive changes and highlight several change mechanisms.