Broderiterapi En undersökning av hantverkets roll vid psykisk ohälsa

Abstract

The aim of this Bachelor’s thesis is to explore and investigate in what way textile handicrafts and needlework can work as a form of therapy in cases with mental ill-health like stress and anxiety. The purpose is also to explore how the location where you practice your textile handicraft can affect your feelings and thoughts and also the outcome of the embroidery. In the essay an hermeneutic approach is used and the essay is therefore a description of my own feelings, thoughts and experiences. To get a balanced picture of what has been explored and researched in the area of textile handicrafts and mental ill-health before a large amount of different sources is used to describe the current research mode. Along with that I present my own research, embroidering in locations that (for me) symbolizes security versus insecurity analyzing my feelings and thoughts by writing them down and reflecting over them. This material has then been reconnected with earlier studies and theorists within the area. The study has shown that textile handicrafts, in this case embroidery, can be a way to heal from stress and anxiety. The most significant ways is by distraction from worried thoughts and by confirmation from others. This creates a sence of coherence and a fellowship between the handicrafters.