Qualifying public perceptions of art therapy: A mixed methods study of community discussion forums

Abstract

This study explores public perspectives on art therapy, a vibrant and evolving field, revealing exciting opportunities to reshape misconceptions held by the public and healthcare professionals. It spotlights the use of social media as a communicative tool to collect authentic feedback on health services. The surge in social media usage opens new doors for capturing spontaneous, real-world opinions, with platforms like Quora and Reddit offering a treasure trove of data. Using a mixed-methods approach, the study examines online conversations about art therapy, employing precise content and thematic analyses with In Vivo coding. It identified ten themes across five key areas including efficacy, outcomes, applications, purpose, and professionalism. Significantly, the findings illuminate a rising tide of positive perceptions around art therapy methods and goals, with a trend of increasingly favourable views emerging over the last five years, showcasing the growing impact and acceptance of the field.