Date of Award

Spring 5-18-2019

Document Type

Thesis

Degree Name

MCM - MA Clinical Mental Health Counseling

Department

Expressive Therapies

Advisor

Sarah Hamil

Abstract

This thesis explores the mind-body experience through an arts-based research approach to examine, and redefine the emotional capacity and usefulness of males through societal determinants that limits and hinders men from living their authentic selves. Through the lens of a metaphoric “Man Box” 112 men participated in a workshop recreating their personal narratives of socialization through, style of dress, coping mechanisms, belief systems and who they should be as men through society's standards. In the “Man Box,” male bonding, and emotional feelings are discouraged, while the objectification of women, material property and physical/emotional strength are encouraged. This research investigates the mind-body approach as a positive shift to increase quality of life while decreasing symptoms of anxiety, depression, subjective well-being, poor mood, shame, and body image. Effects for sexual orientation were also explored, but due to the inconsistency of the information, the data remained inconclusive. Methodological shortcomings of more specific studies limited the results and, therefore, further investigations are needed to strengthen and expand upon art-based research in DMT, with the consideration of personal narrative and poetry as therapy. Information about the usefulness of the mind-body approach in practices, career choices and various aspects of life are discussed.

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Creative Commons Attribution-Noncommercial-No Derivative Works 4.0 License
This work is licensed under a Creative Commons Attribution-Noncommercial-No Derivative Works 4.0 License.

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