Work

How to use theories to explain effects of the creative arts therapies: The case of Polyvagal Theory

Year: 2025

Type: article

Abstract: Research on the effectiveness of Creative Arts Therapies (CATs) has significantly expanded over the past decade, yet a deeper understanding of the underlying mechanisms contributing to positive therapeutic outcomes remains necessary. Integrating concepts from psychology, social sciences, and neuroscience can enhance this understanding, but applying scientific theories requires assessing their robustness, validity, and relevance. This article explores how to evaluate the quality of existing theories, using Polyvagal Theory (PT) as a case study. PT has been increasingly applied in CATs research and practice to explain intervention effects on stress- and trauma-related outcomes. In addition to discussing PT’s general quality, its relevance to the field of CATs is considered, along with critical implications for practice, research, and education. The intention is to initiate an open dialogue on the appropriate use of scientific theories, such as PT, in explaining CATs’ therapeutic mechanisms. Although effort has been made to provide a well-supported discussion, opinion-based analyses inevitably involve some subjectivity. Expanding the theoretical scope beyond PT to other widely used or relevant models may further contribute to understanding the mechanisms of CATs.

Source: The Arts in Psychotherapy

DOI: 10.1016/j.aip.2025.102316

Authors: Ingrid Pénzes, Annemarie Abbing, Martina de Witte

Institution: University of Applied Sciences Leiden

Language: English

Topic: Art Therapy and Mental Health

Subfield: Conservation

Field: Arts and Humanities

Domain: Social Sciences

SDG: Good health and well-being

Open Access status: hybrid

Estimated APC paid: $3,500