This paper reviews the research evidence on the impact of arts therapy for vulnerable people. Participation in arts projects is linked to positive outcomes, such as symptomatic relief, raised self-esteem, and building social capital. The paper outlines the four principal forms of formal arts therapy, which are: art therapy, music therapy, drama therapy and dance movement therapy. It explains the rationale behind arts therapy and other arts initiatives, and how they may be beneficial to vulnerable people, including: individuals with mental illnesses; prisoners; Individuals receiving palliative care; older people; and homeless people. The paper concludes that while there is a need for more large-scale studies that differentiate between various types of therapy, the inherent value of producing and being involved in art should play a role when thinking about the added value of arts therapy.
(Edited publisher abstract)
This paper reviews the research evidence on the impact of arts therapy for vulnerable people. Participation in arts projects is linked to positive outcomes, such as symptomatic relief, raised self-esteem, and building social capital. The paper outlines the four principal forms of formal arts therapy, which are: art therapy, music therapy, drama therapy and dance movement therapy. It explains the rationale behind arts therapy and other arts initiatives, and how they may be beneficial to vulnerable people, including: individuals with mental illnesses; prisoners; Individuals receiving palliative care; older people; and homeless people. The paper concludes that while there is a need for more large-scale studies that differentiate between various types of therapy, the inherent value of producing and being involved in art should play a role when thinking about the added value of arts therapy.
(Edited publisher abstract)
Subject terms:
art therapy, literature reviews, older people, drama therapy, music therapy, dance therapy, mental health problems, palliative care, homeless people, prisoners;
This report called for a rapid reduction in the use of imprisonment for women offenders. It argued that the majority of women offenders have not committed a serious offence and do not represent a threat to public safety. The report argued that imprisoning women, many of whom have been abused, attempted suicide and spent time in local authority care, only serves to exacerbate their problems and marginalise them still further from society. The average population of women in prison has risen to a level that has not been seen since the end of the nineteenth century. Between 1992-1996, the women's prison population doubled. The vast majority of women in prison are serving sentences for non-violent offences. Theft and handling stolen good is the main offence for which women are sentenced to custody. More than one third of women in prison have no previous convictions. Women on remand represent 20-25 per cent of the total female population. The majority of women in prison are young and have dependent children. Almost one in five female prisoners are black. More than a quarter of women in prison have themselves spent some time in care as a child. Around 40 per cent of women prisoners report receiving help or treatment for a mental health problem. Almost one in five have spent time as an in-patient in a psychiatric hospital or ward. One third of women in prison lose their homes as a result of their incarceration.
This report called for a rapid reduction in the use of imprisonment for women offenders. It argued that the majority of women offenders have not committed a serious offence and do not represent a threat to public safety. The report argued that imprisoning women, many of whom have been abused, attempted suicide and spent time in local authority care, only serves to exacerbate their problems and marginalise them still further from society. The average population of women in prison has risen to a level that has not been seen since the end of the nineteenth century. Between 1992-1996, the women's prison population doubled. The vast majority of women in prison are serving sentences for non-violent offences. Theft and handling stolen good is the main offence for which women are sentenced to custody. More than one third of women in prison have no previous convictions. Women on remand represent 20-25 per cent of the total female population. The majority of women in prison are young and have dependent children. Almost one in five female prisoners are black. More than a quarter of women in prison have themselves spent some time in care as a child. Around 40 per cent of women prisoners report receiving help or treatment for a mental health problem. Almost one in five have spent time as an in-patient in a psychiatric hospital or ward. One third of women in prison lose their homes as a result of their incarceration.
Subject terms:
homeless people, looked after children, mental health problems, policy formulation, prisoners, prisons, women, black and minority ethnic people, families;
This report provides the background to the Care Quality Commission thematic review of how dying patients are treated across various settings, an overview of the key findings and recommendations for providers, commissioners and local health and care system leaders, as well as information on what CQC will do going forward. The review focused on end of life care for people who may be less likely to receive good care, whether because of diagnosis, age, ethnic background, sexual orientation, gender identity, disability or social circumstances. The report shows that where commissioners and services are taking an equality-led approach that responds to people’s individual needs, people receive better care. Although some commissioners and providers of end of life care are doing this well, many are not. People from the groups included in the review reported mixed experiences of end of life care, and highlighted barriers that sometimes prevented them from experiencing good, personalised end of life care. In particular, the review found that lack of awareness of people’s individual needs is a significant barrier to good care and that commissioners and providers do not always consider the needs of everyone in their community.
(Edited publisher abstract)
This report provides the background to the Care Quality Commission thematic review of how dying patients are treated across various settings, an overview of the key findings and recommendations for providers, commissioners and local health and care system leaders, as well as information on what CQC will do going forward. The review focused on end of life care for people who may be less likely to receive good care, whether because of diagnosis, age, ethnic background, sexual orientation, gender identity, disability or social circumstances. The report shows that where commissioners and services are taking an equality-led approach that responds to people’s individual needs, people receive better care. Although some commissioners and providers of end of life care are doing this well, many are not. People from the groups included in the review reported mixed experiences of end of life care, and highlighted barriers that sometimes prevented them from experiencing good, personalised end of life care. In particular, the review found that lack of awareness of people’s individual needs is a significant barrier to good care and that commissioners and providers do not always consider the needs of everyone in their community.
(Edited publisher abstract)
Subject terms:
end of life care, palliative care, equal opportunities, black and minority ethnic people, disabilities, LGBT people, homeless people, Gypsies, travellers, learning disabilities, dementia, mental health problems, older people, prisoners;
British Journal of Psychiatry, 178, February 2001, pp.160-165.
Publisher:
Cambridge University Press
The comparative outcome of psychosis in British Whites and UK African-Caribbeans is unclear. Some report that African-Caribbeans have worse outcome, whereas others claim better symptomatic outcome and a more benign course. This research aims to compare the course, outcome and treatment of psychosis in African-Caribbeans and British Whites in a large multi-centre sample. Outcome measures (hospitalisation, illness course, self-harm, social disability and treatment received) were adjusted for socio-economic and clinical differences between groups at baseline using regression analysis. Results found African-Caribbeans were less likely to have a continuous illness and to receive treatment with antidepressants or psychotherapy. Concludes that the outcome of psychosis is complex but differs between UK African-Caribbeans and British Whites. This may reflect risk factors that increase the rate of psychosis in UK African-Caribbeans. Treatment differences require further investigation.
The comparative outcome of psychosis in British Whites and UK African-Caribbeans is unclear. Some report that African-Caribbeans have worse outcome, whereas others claim better symptomatic outcome and a more benign course. This research aims to compare the course, outcome and treatment of psychosis in African-Caribbeans and British Whites in a large multi-centre sample. Outcome measures (hospitalisation, illness course, self-harm, social disability and treatment received) were adjusted for socio-economic and clinical differences between groups at baseline using regression analysis. Results found African-Caribbeans were less likely to have a continuous illness and to receive treatment with antidepressants or psychotherapy. Concludes that the outcome of psychosis is complex but differs between UK African-Caribbeans and British Whites. This may reflect risk factors that increase the rate of psychosis in UK African-Caribbeans. Treatment differences require further investigation.
Subject terms:
homeless people, independence, medication, mental health problems, outcomes, hospital admission, psychotherapy, prisoners, severe mental health problems, suicide, treatment, unemployment, therapy and treatment, black and minority ethnic people, depression, ethnicity;
Contains chapters on: improving judgment and appreciating biases within the risk assessment process; assessing gay and lesbian carers; making family placements - working with risks and building on strengths; risk in adoption and fostering; attempting to manage risk in children's homes; vulnerable people taking risks - older people and residential care; citizenship, personal development and the management of risk for people with learning difficulties; young people and drug use; the effects and risks of alcohol for individuals; homelessness and mental health; risk, residential services and people with mental health problems; community care, homicide inquiries and risk assessment; risk and prison suicide; teenage suicide and self-harm; issues in risk assessment in parole; rights versus risks when working with prisoners; risk, domestic violence and probation practice; throughcare practice, risk and contact with victims; and the role and responsibilities of middle managers.
Contains chapters on: improving judgment and appreciating biases within the risk assessment process; assessing gay and lesbian carers; making family placements - working with risks and building on strengths; risk in adoption and fostering; attempting to manage risk in children's homes; vulnerable people taking risks - older people and residential care; citizenship, personal development and the management of risk for people with learning difficulties; young people and drug use; the effects and risks of alcohol for individuals; homelessness and mental health; risk, residential services and people with mental health problems; community care, homicide inquiries and risk assessment; risk and prison suicide; teenage suicide and self-harm; issues in risk assessment in parole; rights versus risks when working with prisoners; risk, domestic violence and probation practice; throughcare practice, risk and contact with victims; and the role and responsibilities of middle managers.
Subject terms:
homeless people, homelessness, lesbians, licence, managers, mental health problems, management, homicide, older people, probation service, prisoners, residential care, residential child care, rights, risk, risk assessment, risk management, suicide, young people, adoption, assessment, alcohol misuse, carers, care homes, children, citizenship, drug misuse, foster care, gay men, good practice;