Clay Use as Mindfulness for Women in Early Substance Use Recovery
Cheryl Feldman
2023 DOI: 10.33015/dominican.edu/2023.at.phd.04 (opens in new tab)
Study at a glance
AI-extracted from the abstract| Characteristics | Mixed methods study Qualitative |
|---|---|
| Sample size | 11 |
| Population | Women in early substance use recovery |
| Duration | Four clay sessions |
| Topics | Meditation |
| Key points | Quantitative mindfulness and well-being scales showed no significant changes across four clay sessions, but participants described the clay's sensory and kinesthetic qualities as eliciting metaphors, positive emotions, and enhanced mindfulness experiences such as self-awareness, attunement, and groundedness, along with meaning-making and positive changes in self-perception. The authors propose that clay work may support mindfulness, Alcoholics Anonymous, and positive psychology strategies in early recovery. |
Abstract
Substance Use Disorders (SUDs) are an epidemic in the United States comprising 4.4 million women, including high rates of recidivism, and often accompanied by comorbid mental health issues. Recognizing the need for effective tools to support women in recovery, this research aligns the key tenets of present focus and personal control within Alcoholics Anonymous (AA) with various established mindfulness-based therapies, while using a Positive Psychology framework to conceptualize strategies to help enhance mindfulness in women in early recovery. Although engaging in clay work has been linked to mindfulness for its capacity to foster a state of presence and self-centering, scant art therapy research exists to date on the use of clay with SUDs population. Using a mixed methods approach within a positive psychology framework, this study explored the experiences of eleven women in early substance use recovery as they engaged in four structured and unstructured clay sessions. Quantitative results indicated no significant changes in mindfulness and well-being scales. In comparison, qualitative results showed that clay's sensory and kinesthetic qualities along with its novel and positive energies during engagement elicited the use of metaphors, positive emotions, and enhanced mindfulness experiences such as self-awareness, attunement, and groundedness. Additionally, the women experienced meaning-making and positive changes in self-perception. Thus, the study highlights clay's potential to support mindfulness, AA, and positive psychology strategies and calls for further research exploring the intersection of clay work, art therapy, mindfulness, and SUDS recovery.
Comparable studies
Other qualitative studies on meditation, most cited first.
Citations in the library
Cites 7
- Mindfulness Meditation for Substance Use Disorders: A Systematic Review Substance Abuse October 1, 2009
- Mindfulness-Based Interventions for the Treatment of Substance and Behavioral Addictions: A Systematic Review Frontiers in Psychiatry March 29, 2018
- When Traits Match States: Examining the Associations between Self-Report Trait and State Mindfulness following a State Mindfulness Induction. Mindfulness February 2018
- Mindfulness meditation in the treatment of substance use disorders and preventing future relapse: neurocognitive mechanisms and clinical implications. Substance Abuse and Rehabilitation 2018
- Effect of 'Exercise Without Movement' yoga method on mindfulness, anxiety and depression. Complementary Therapies in Clinical Practice September 22, 2016
and 2 more in the library