Spiritual and Creative Practices to Support Caribbean Family Resilience

<p>This qualitative study examines how Caribbean families integrate spirituality and creative expression to build resilience in the face of adversity. Grounded in family resilience theory and employing an arts-informed phenomenological approach, the research engaged sixteen families in Grenada representing Christianity, Islam, Rastafarianism, and Indigenous spiritual traditions. Data were collected through in-depth interviews and collaborative art-making, revealing five themes: meaning-making, communal support, prayer, creative expression, and connection to nature. Regardless of the spiritual tradition, participant families consistently identified spirituality and art as vital to emotional regulation, relational bonding, and cultural connection. While some families produced visual artwork, others engaged in music, storytelling, ritual, and symbolic practices as spiritually grounded coping mechanisms. The findings highlight the therapeutic potential of integrating culturally meaningful and spiritually attuned creative practices into mental health and community interventions. This study contributes to a more holistic, culturally responsive framework for supporting Caribbean families and underscores the importance of honoring local traditions of faith and art in resilience-building strategies.</p>