A critical and creative exploration of childhood trauma recovery. Knowing-doing trauma-informed public pedagogy.
Lead Research Organisation:
University of Bath
Department Name: Department for Health
Abstract
AIM
To co-explore the pedagogical processes in understanding and practising recovery from childhood trauma through arts-based practises and Feminist New Materialist thought
Objectives
1. To explore pedagogical processes in how survivors, define and practise recovery beyond the biomedical model
2. To co-construct critically creative informal spaces which shift survivor recovery literacies through the aesthetics of arts-based practises
There remains a disconnect between Mental Health (MH) assessments and support practises in connecting experiences with distress, resulting in pathologised services and recovery literacies (Tseris, 2019). The traditional biomedical discourses maintain a disregard for the growing evidence which demonstrates trauma's intimate connection with mental health illness (MHI) (e.g. depression and anxiety), portraying individuals as "disordered" regardless of their historical and social contexts (Tseris, 2019). While this dominant model has resulted in significant leaps forward in understanding certain intricacies to childhood trauma (CT), it disregards the complex, entangled and affective dimensions across historical, socially discursive and materially embedded recovery settings. The biomedical model, therefore, maintains re-active and prescriptive systems of diagnosis and care, rather than being pro-active or considerate to material-discursive influences (Fullagar et al., 2018), encouraging recovery in solitude, while rendering the traumatised body invisible and still requiring address. Addressing this gap, Victoria's research discusses how Posthumanist and NM approaches have been used to expand discussions in health beyond the biomedical and conclude with its appropriateness to do so for recovery literacies.
Method: This project incorporates a post qualitative enquiry (PQI) position drawing on Feminist new materialism thought through a Participatory Action Arts-based Research (PAAR) methodology. A range of methods will be utilised including body mapping and arts-based methods through a series of workshops and focus groups.
Analysis: Analysis will be framed within co-constructed PQI and underpinned by the concept of affective pedagogical assemblages.
To co-explore the pedagogical processes in understanding and practising recovery from childhood trauma through arts-based practises and Feminist New Materialist thought
Objectives
1. To explore pedagogical processes in how survivors, define and practise recovery beyond the biomedical model
2. To co-construct critically creative informal spaces which shift survivor recovery literacies through the aesthetics of arts-based practises
There remains a disconnect between Mental Health (MH) assessments and support practises in connecting experiences with distress, resulting in pathologised services and recovery literacies (Tseris, 2019). The traditional biomedical discourses maintain a disregard for the growing evidence which demonstrates trauma's intimate connection with mental health illness (MHI) (e.g. depression and anxiety), portraying individuals as "disordered" regardless of their historical and social contexts (Tseris, 2019). While this dominant model has resulted in significant leaps forward in understanding certain intricacies to childhood trauma (CT), it disregards the complex, entangled and affective dimensions across historical, socially discursive and materially embedded recovery settings. The biomedical model, therefore, maintains re-active and prescriptive systems of diagnosis and care, rather than being pro-active or considerate to material-discursive influences (Fullagar et al., 2018), encouraging recovery in solitude, while rendering the traumatised body invisible and still requiring address. Addressing this gap, Victoria's research discusses how Posthumanist and NM approaches have been used to expand discussions in health beyond the biomedical and conclude with its appropriateness to do so for recovery literacies.
Method: This project incorporates a post qualitative enquiry (PQI) position drawing on Feminist new materialism thought through a Participatory Action Arts-based Research (PAAR) methodology. A range of methods will be utilised including body mapping and arts-based methods through a series of workshops and focus groups.
Analysis: Analysis will be framed within co-constructed PQI and underpinned by the concept of affective pedagogical assemblages.
Studentship Projects
| Project Reference | Relationship | Related To | Start | End | Student Name |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| ES/P000630/1 | 01/10/2017 | 30/09/2027 | |||
| 2094877 | Studentship | ES/P000630/1 | 01/10/2018 | 31/08/2023 | Victoria Christodoulides |
| Description | Findings are currently still being analysed. Clearly, evidence highlights that the body is disregarded in recovery from childhood abuse. This impacts how survivors engage with services and services them. It indicates areas where survivors lack support, leading to negative responses and feelings with little understanding of how to resolve them. This opens up numerous possibilities for better services incorporating a range of practices extending traditional medical approaches (talk therapy, antidepressants). Furthermore, the project demonstrated the importance of better information and signposting to specific services and other practices. Often survivors were being signposted to mental health practices which did not specialise in trauma. Engaging in co-constructive environments through creative practices provided, in some cases, exceptional and, for most, led to impactful experiences which positively shifted their understanding of themselves. These suggest additional ways of engaging in learning about recovery which could be helpful to survivors and practitioners. |
| Exploitation Route | Currently, I conceptualised a project funded by the National Lottery through The Southmead Project. It was based on the concepts of the research project. I am in discussions with generating specific research tied with this current project to demonstrate the benefit of this approach. The AR project has been very impactful, supporting currently 80 survivors of abuse with weekly activities. The outcomes may lead to the development of better and more accessible information for GP's which will then be able to signpost to more effective support. There may be a generation of more services and practices which engage in educating the impact of trauma on the mind and body for survivors to engage with earlier on. The findings point to the importance of engaging in alternative approaches to understanding and practices recovery. This may include creative public and private spaces, further funded projects such as AR, better informed GP's and services to signpost survivors to a larger range of appropriate support. |
| Sectors | Aerospace, Defence and Marine,Communities and Social Services/Policy,Creative Economy,Education,Healthcare,Government, Democracy and Justice,Other |
| Description | I have added this information in others areas. |
| First Year Of Impact | 2022 |
| Sector | Aerospace, Defence and Marine,Communities and Social Services/Policy,Creative Economy,Healthcare,Government, Democracy and Justice,Other |
| Impact Types | Cultural,Societal |
| Description | Collaboration fund |
| Amount | £5,000 (GBP) |
| Organisation | Economic and Social Research Council |
| Sector | Public |
| Country | United Kingdom |
| Start | 12/2020 |
| Description | Impact Fund |
| Amount | £810 (GBP) |
| Organisation | Economic and Social Research Council |
| Sector | Public |
| Country | United Kingdom |
| Start | 12/2020 |
| Description | Impact Fund - 2 |
| Amount | £1,000 (GBP) |
| Organisation | Economic and Social Research Council |
| Sector | Public |
| Country | United Kingdom |
| Start | 12/2020 |
| Description | Impact fund - 3 |
| Amount | £997 (GBP) |
| Organisation | Economic and Social Research Council |
| Sector | Public |
| Country | United Kingdom |
| Start | 12/2020 |
| Description | Sarum St Michael Educational Charity |
| Amount | £2,500 (GBP) |
| Organisation | Sarum St Michael Educational Charity |
| Sector | Charity/Non Profit |
| Country | United Kingdom |
| Start | 10/2018 |
| End | 10/2020 |
| Description | Studentship |
| Amount | £70,559 (GBP) |
| Organisation | Economic and Social Research Council |
| Sector | Public |
| Country | United Kingdom |
| Start | 10/2018 |
| End | 12/2022 |
| Description | The Leverhulme Trust |
| Amount | £14,500 (GBP) |
| Organisation | The Leverhulme Trust |
| Sector | Charity/Non Profit |
| Country | United Kingdom |
| Start | 12/2018 |
| End | 12/2020 |
| Description | The Rainbow Trust |
| Amount | £5,000 (GBP) |
| Organisation | Rainbow Trust Children's Charity |
| Sector | Charity/Non Profit |
| Country | United Kingdom |
| Start | 01/2021 |
| Description | Ministry of Defence |
| Organisation | Ministry of Defence (MOD) |
| Country | United Kingdom |
| Sector | Public |
| PI Contribution | I have curated a series of presentations which have been delivered to the MOD and their network in 2022. I was supported by my college Maike Klien. These reached circa 500+ people who work within and support the MoD. |
| Collaborator Contribution | The organiser has facilitated the marketing of the events. The organiser has invited us to several networking events and conferences to deliver other talks and sessions. |
| Impact | The presentations have proved very successful, with attendees calling for more sessions which are being created. The impact has changed individuals' view on mental health positively across the range of topics we explored. |
| Start Year | 2021 |
| Description | The Southmead Project |
| Organisation | Southmead Project |
| Country | United Kingdom |
| Sector | Charity/Non Profit |
| PI Contribution | I developed a relationship with The Southmead project several years ago. During this time, I have supported them with the delivery of a series of art workshops which took place over several months with adult survivors of childhood trauma. Following this, I worked collected, analysed and reported the impact and feedback of the workshop for The charity. In addition to this, I have given a talk at their 25th AGM meeting, sharing expertise. Finally, I have continued supporting the charity with intellectual input for their Active Recovery Project (ARP). The ARP was conceptualised by myself and has been successfully developed by The Southmead Project, providing activities for survivors to support them beyond the medical or psychotherapeutic methods of recovery. I have continued to support the project with the development and running of the sessions. I was very pleased to hear it has been funded by the National Lottery for 3 years. I am currently supporting research in the review of the project with longitudinal studies. |
| Collaborator Contribution | The Southmead Project have contributed in several ways to the collaboration. I have been given opportunities to share intellectual knowledge which has developed my own skills and experience. I have received a contribution from key members of the organisation in designing my PhD methodology, ensuring the design of the methods is thorough and safe. I have been introduced to a wide variety of individuals within charities, services as well as Government. Several relationships have continued to be developed and have become incorporated into various actions within my PhD - Predominantly within the plans for the exhibition. Lastly, The Southmead project is also providing the environment for me to recruit participants for my PhD. |
| Impact | TBC |
| Start Year | 2018 |
| Description | MOD sessions |
| Form Of Engagement Activity | Participation in an activity, workshop or similar |
| Part Of Official Scheme? | No |
| Geographic Reach | National |
| Primary Audience | Industry/Business |
| Results and Impact | I curated and presented a series of sessions for the MoD. I utilised information and learning from the research within the sessions. The intention was to generate a fresh perspective on how mental health is understood and practised. Over 500 people joined online for the 6 sessions that were delivered, and attendees ranged from civil servants, managers supporting individuals who have experienced trauma and mental ill health, senior officers and business owners across the MoD network. The sessions have been so successful, with attendees calling for additional sessions; we will be running this again, expanding and delivering talks at other MoD events and conferences. |
| Year(s) Of Engagement Activity | 2022 |
| Description | PAR Workshops within the project |
| Form Of Engagement Activity | Participation in an activity, workshop or similar |
| Part Of Official Scheme? | No |
| Geographic Reach | Local |
| Primary Audience | Study participants or study members |
| Results and Impact | A project design meeting (PDM) engaged participants in the concept of exploring recovery beyond the biomedical. Participants had the opportunity to generate body maps and using a world cafe method decided upon three themes for the following workshops. Following the PDM three workshops were held (one a week), each lasting five hours. In the workshops, participants created artefacts in response to the weekly topic they determined in the PDM. Each workshop used a different medium. For example, 1) clay; 2) material and thread work; 3) drawing and animation. Participants were also encouraged to engage with external photovoice approaches extending how learning about recovery is understood and practised. 10 participants were enrolled in the project. Two external facilitators including a counsellor and an artist, supported the delivery of the project. The quality of the artefacts generated has sparked further activities within the group who would like to tour their exhibition. We have been asked by the National Lottery to apply as they would like to fund this. Profoundly, however, the largest impact has been how the experience has shaped participants' understanding of themselves. All participants have stated the significant impact on their lives. e.g., one person said, " after attending these sessions, I have been able to think differently about myself. For over 20 years I have been unable to shake negative thoughts about myself when they come up. I have been able to be more compassionate and I walk taller and lighter - thank you". I have also discussed generating other training sessions and talks with Mike Pierce who has supported the project. |
| Year(s) Of Engagement Activity | 2022 |