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Dreger Thesis Accessibility.pdf (9.05 MB)

ETD Abstract Container

Abstract Header

Mothers Making and Moving: Creative Arts Workshops and Postpartum Identity

Dreger, Halina Eleanor
http://rave.ohiolink.edu/etdc/view?acc_num=ouhonors1714133387049947

Abstract Details

2024, Bachelor of Fine Arts (BFA), Ohio University, Dance.
The postpartum period is a tumultuous time that often brings about changes to the psychological, social, and interpersonal aspects of a new mother’s identity. Additionally, existing literature has revealed the potential for the creative arts—namely visual art and creative movement—to provide a space for individuals to explore their identities. This study aimed to examine 1) how mothers describe their postpartum identities and 2) how creative arts workshops can support an exploration into a mother’s postpartum experience. Participants were postpartum women, without mental or physical health concerns. They participated in four, 90-minute creative arts workshops. Each workshop consisted of a visual art prompt and creative movement prompt for participants to explore, as well time for discussion about the art-making processes. Data included researcher observations, participant artwork, and participant reflective responses. Four distinct themes emerged through data analysis: Mother/Baby as a Unit, Routine, Body Size, and Reflections on Motherhood. The emergence of these themes reflected significant aspects of the participants’ postpartum identities, including feelings that their babies were an extension of themselves, the presence (or lack) of a daily routine in the postpartum period, and feelings related to body size. The data revealed that creative arts workshops provided participants with time and space to reflect on—and bring new meaning to—their postpartum experience. Future research might build upon these findings to see how creative arts might be expanded to support women in the postpartum period.
Dr. Christi Camper Moore (Advisor)
77 p.
Dance
Creative arts, creative movement, dance, art, visual art, motherhood, postpartum, identity, postpartum identity

Recommended Citations

Citations

  • Dreger, H. E. (2024). Mothers Making and Moving: Creative Arts Workshops and Postpartum Identity [Undergraduate thesis, Ohio University]. OhioLINK Electronic Theses and Dissertations Center. http://rave.ohiolink.edu/etdc/view?acc_num=ouhonors1714133387049947

    APA Style (7th edition)

  • Dreger, Halina. Mothers Making and Moving: Creative Arts Workshops and Postpartum Identity. 2024. Ohio University, Undergraduate thesis. OhioLINK Electronic Theses and Dissertations Center, http://rave.ohiolink.edu/etdc/view?acc_num=ouhonors1714133387049947.

    MLA Style (8th edition)

  • Dreger, Halina. "Mothers Making and Moving: Creative Arts Workshops and Postpartum Identity." Undergraduate thesis, Ohio University, 2024. http://rave.ohiolink.edu/etdc/view?acc_num=ouhonors1714133387049947

    Chicago Manual of Style (17th edition)

ouhonors1714133387049947
84
© 2024, all rights reserved.
This open access ETD is published by Ohio University Honors Tutorial College and OhioLINK.