Art of Resilience: Photo-stories Cultivate Strength among People with HIV/AIDS

Background

Using the visual arts to inspire creativity, insight, and healing are common therapies for people with critical illness.  HIV/AIDS is a life-long and serious illness that requires constant management, yet the use of art to improve the lives of people with HIV (PWH) is under-utilized.  Thus, we developed and explored the impact of a pilot photo-story project on the health and well-being of PWH. 

Methods

Participants took part in the project in small groups of four to eight.  Project components included a photography tutorial, three group photo-sharing and discussion sessions, and a community photo exhibit.  To assess project impact, we conducted post-project individual interviews and analyzed transcripts of group and individual sessions and over 200 participant photographs using strategies of theme analysis.  

Results

Participants included eight men and 20 women living with HIV in urban areas of the Midwest, U.S.  Participants indicated the project gave them a “muse” and “unleashed the artist in them,” which helped them think about HIV and their life in new ways.  Key themes about how creating and sharing art affected participants were: enhanced inspiration and insight, acquiring a new artistic “hobby,” seeing beauty in their surroundings, and most importantly, establishing a creative way to express their strengths and resilience. Photos were varied and included images of nature, spirituality, and self-portraits.

Conclusions

Arts-based interventions can inspire creativity, and help PWH see their lives differently.  Creativity and insight can help PWH build and express resilience. Offering photography as form of expression is a potentially simple way to foster strength and consequently, improve the lives of PWH.