Utilizing Creativity for Adolescents’ Recovery in Inpatient Psychiatric Hospital (IPH)

Abstract

The study aims to examine the impact of creative activities on adolescents, aged 12-18, hospitalized in an acute-care inpatient psychiatric hospital (IPH) setting. While research on the health impact of creative writing has been discussed with adults, research on adolescents hospitalized in acute inpatient psychiatric units (IPU) is limited. This study highlights how creative activities generate self-discovery and insights that are necessary for coping among adolescents in IPH. Seventy creative writing and origami sessions were embedded as a part of group education from March, 2018 until Feb. 2020. A curriculum that considered the interests of current teenagers and the IPH short length of stay (4-5 days) was designed and delivered by a professional writer and their team that consisted of health sciences students, medical students, and IPU nursing staff. After each session, a post-session survey was administered. The findings from 568 post-surveys suggest that the adolescents at the IPH expressed interest and engagement through creative activities. In addition, the findings suggest creative activities promote mood shifts, relaxation, and self-awareness, all critical for adolescents during a mental health crisis. Further studies are needed to assess if these activities lead to long-term coping strategies for participants following their hospitalization.