Hand-building the sense of self: art therapy with Indian women in an assisted-living facility for the ‘homeless’

Background: Women in India with serious and long-term mental health conditions continue to be stigmatised and alienated from mainstream society, contributing to homelessness and complicating the recovery pathway. Rebuilding a positive sense of identity and community to which one can belong mobilises community reintegration. Art therapy, using a strength-focused approach, can lead the way. Aim: This study explored the efficacy of art therapy (AT) in enhancing the sense of self and social communication in an assisted-living facility for women experiencing homelessness in India (N = 11). Method: The study followed a mixed-method research design, integrating visual arts, non-participatory observation and quantitative rating scales. Clay was used as the primary medium for twelve bi-weekly group AT sessions following the phenomenological approach. Quantitative rating scales Abbreviated Life Skills Profile-16 (LSP-16) and the Positive and Negative Syndrome Scale (PANSS) were used to assess the general level of functioning and psychopathological symptom severity. Group artwork and observation aided in understanding the sense of self, interpersonal communication and group relationships. Results: A significant reduction in PANSS score followed AT (p < 0.05). Phenomenological analysis of group artwork and thematic analysis of the non-participatory observation indicated an emergence of a sense of self, group dynamics and increased social communication. Conclusion: AT decreased symptom severity and developed a sense of identity and interpersonal communication in the participants. Implication: AT using traditional and economical materials like clay can be viable and sustainable in the psychosocial rehabilitation of Indian women with mental health conditions who have experienced homelessness.