ERIC Number: EJ1108799
Record Type: Journal
Publication Date: 2016
Pages: 16
Abstractor: As Provided
ISBN: N/A
ISSN: ISSN-1938-0399
EISSN: N/A
Visiting the Muses: Creativity, Coping, and PTSD in Talented Dancer and Athletes
Thomson, Paula; Jaque, S. Victoria
American Journal of Play, v8 n3 p363-378 Spr 2016
Although exposure to traumatic events runs high among Americans, only a few--about 8.7 percent--of those exposed to such events develop symptoms that warrant a diagnosis of Posttraumatic Stress Disorder (PTSD). The authors investigate two groups--dancers and athletes, including some who suffered from PTSD and some who did not--and found a higher frequency of PTSD diagnoses than would be expected in the general population and more so among the dancers than the athletes. Both groups indicated that the creative process was a positive experience, but the PTSD group reported more anxiety and emotional-oriented coping while creating and during stressful situations. The authors conclude that, although engaging in adult forms of play may not eliminate PTSD, participating in preferred physical activities may enhance the self-efficacy and self-management of those who do suffer from it. Participation in these activities certainly offers them pleasure and meaning.
Descriptors: Creativity, Coping, Posttraumatic Stress Disorder, Dance, Athletes, Clinical Diagnosis, Incidence, Comparative Analysis, Anxiety, Stress Variables, Play, Adults, Physical Activities, Self Efficacy, Self Management, Emotional Response, Gender Differences, Statistical Analysis
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Publication Type: Journal Articles; Reports - Research
Education Level: N/A
Audience: N/A
Language: English
Sponsor: N/A
Authoring Institution: N/A
Identifiers - Assessments and Surveys: Coping Inventory
Grant or Contract Numbers: N/A