LESSONS LEARNED FROM AROUND THE HEARTH: A NARRATIVE INQUIRY

Background: Researchers wanted to understand experiences of women who are homeless or in transition to housing as they participated in art activities within the community of a women’s drop-in centre. Little is known about if... [ view full abstract ]

Background:
Researchers wanted to understand experiences of women who are homeless or in transition to housing as they participated in art activities within the community of a women’s drop-in centre. Little is known about if or how these services in this setting change women’s perceptions of themselves and their future possibilities.
Method:
The research used narrative inquiry (Clandinin, 2007) with four regular participants in art activities within the centre. Student researchers completed fieldwork experiences there and were involved in classes. Researchers interviewed two participants twice: one participant completed one double-length interview. Researchers explored narratives of each participant, looking at continuity, interaction and impact of place. Narrative accounts of each participant were written and shared with participants so they could revise/elaborate on stories and on how they were represented. Finally, stories of participants were compared for common threads, and for places where stories differed.
Results:
Narratives emphasized the importance of role and identity, art as self-expression, and the importance of belonging within community. Art was seen as an active process for communicating internal dialogue outwardly to peers within the environment, a process that aided in connectedness over time. Common threads included experiences of piecing together a new life and making strong links.
Conclusion:
Art activities within this setting can be valuable to participants in a variety of ways in telling and composing stories to live by.
Application to Practice:
Occupational therapists working with this population may want to consider using art activities as tools for sharing experience and composing new narratives.