Page 56 - ART FORM AND MENTAL HEALTH - Ingrid Pénzes

STUDY 2
The second focus group aims to deepen and develop the theory of material interaction in art therapy assessment. We want to know whether and how the categories of material interaction developed in Study 1 are (inter)related and how observing material interaction contributes to the aims of art therapy assessment: the decision to offer further treatment, to formulate treatment goals and to choose appropriate art interventions.
Method
Participants
Eight art therapists were invited to participate in a focus group. Focus groups of this size enable the exploration of complex topics (Litosseliti, 2003). The group was purposively sampled with the aim to include diverse theoretical and methodological perspectives of art therapy (Barbour, 2007; Litosseliti, 2003). Diversity among participants was obtained regarding working experience (both in number of years and client population), training background (training program and level of education) and additional expertise (researcher, lecturer or author in art therapy).
Procedure
The focus group met once, followed by two email rounds for member checking. In preparation for this focus group, the art therapists received a written introduction to the concept of material interaction based on the findings of Study 1. The focus group had an open character allowing all participants to give their view on the concept of material interaction and to respond to each other’s views (Morgan, 2002). The researcher started the focus group with a general introduction of the research project. In order to keep the discussion on track without inhibiting the flow of ideas, the moderator asked open-ended questions related to a predetermined topic guide. The guide consisted of the concept of material interaction in the therapists’ practice, the separate categories of material interaction as developed in Study 1, and the possible interrelatedness of the categories of material interaction.
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