Facilitating the Voice of Adolescents in Hospitals Through Art: A Case Report

J Adolesc Health. 2022 Mar;70(3):507-513. doi: 10.1016/j.jadohealth.2021.09.027. Epub 2021 Dec 31.

Abstract

Adolescence can be a challenging time, but even more so when diagnosed with a serious or chronic illness. Starlight Children's Foundation established the Livewire program after recognizing the unique needs of adolescents in hospitals. This article describes our experience of implementing an art-based project within the Livewire program, designed to facilitate the voice of adolescents with a serious or chronic illness and their siblings. We invited young people across Australia to contribute their artwork which would be used as the design for a deck of playing cards. The final 54 cards were a creative reflection of the unique interests, personalities, and experiences of 45 young people. In this article, we also share the experiences of two young people who contributed to this project. We conclude with our learnings in delivering an art-based project for young people that is not presented directly as "therapy".

Keywords: Adolescents; Art; Case report; Chronic illness; Creativity; Hospital; Patient; Play; Psychosocial; Therapy.

Publication types

  • Case Reports
  • Research Support, Non-U.S. Gov't

MeSH terms

  • Adolescent
  • Australia
  • Child
  • Chronic Disease
  • Hospitals*
  • Humans