Arts-based interventions to promote transition outcomes for young people with long-term conditionsA review
Joanne Callinan and Prof. Imelda Coyne
This paper by Joanne Callinan and Prof. Imelda Coyne, School of Nursing & Midwifery, Trinity College Dublin, was commissioned by Helium Arts and published in the peer-reviewed journal ‘Chronic Illness’ in July 2018. Callinan and Coyne conducted a systematic review of arts-based interventions promoting transition from paediatric to adult services for young people with long-term conditions and explored their effectiveness.
‘These studies showed the potential of arts-based interventions to impact positively on the lives of children and adolescents with long-term conditions particularly in relation to self-esteem, confidence and self-expression.’ (Poster, Children’s Research Network Conference 2016)
Arts-based interventions included studies of young people who were actively participating in the intervention rather than passive observers. Visual arts interventions included film/video production, time-based media, photography, animation, sculpture, audio, installation, sound recordings, painting, textiles, print, mixed media, multimedia. Arts-based interventions included creative writing, poetry, dance, choreography and storytelling.
All outcome measures relevant to transition and any chronic condition were included: self-care knowledge and skills, autonomy, continuity of care, adherence to treatment and attendance at appointments.
Seven studies reported arts-based interventions promoting outcomes that are relevant to transition. These studies showed that arts-based interventions may influence the self-esteem, confidence and self-expression of young people with long-term conditions. However, there is a need for further research that incorporates objective measurements or validated tools to assess outcomes relevant to the transition process.
Access to the Systematic Review: http://journals.sagepub.com/doi/abs/10.1177/1742395318782370
