Resource doll as a means of self-support in art therapy in conditions of war

Abstract

Introduction. In order to find sources of vitality in art therapy, various types and means of art are widely used, which help the participants of art therapy practices to realize their unique individual life scenarios. A doll, as an anthropomorphic character for an adult, can become a cultural mediator, because it, as a means of psychological transfer, acts as a kind of an individual’s avatar. In art therapy, the creation of a doll and endowment it with symbolic content can fill a person's creative activity with a resourceful life-affirming meaning, especially in the conditions of war. Aim: to analyze the possibilities of a resource doll for teachers in art education as an art therapy personal self-support tool in life crises. Methods: analysis and systematization of literature; theoretical analysis of the problem; analysis of the results of the assignments performed by the trainees of the State Scientific and Methodological Center "Psychological Support by Art Workshop". program. Results. A resource doll was shown to be an effective art therapy tool in providing individuals’ self-support in life crises. The results of the assignments performed by the trainees of the State Scientific and Methodological Center "Psychological Support by Art Workshop". program allowed determining the types of the trainees’ visual images, the most common of which was the Motanka doll, the verbal manifestations that were broadcast by the doll’s "advice" and were related to individuals’ self-support and self-help. The choice of the concept, type, color, and material used for making resource dolls was based on subconscious and conscious processes that reflected the participants' experience and attitude to existing social situations. Conclusions. Creating dolls helped the participants to reveal their inner world, social positions, intellectual qualities, creativity, sense of humor, creative potential in general as psychological self-help potentials. The findings presented in the article may promote a resource doll as an art therapy self-support tool in life crises.