The hope collage activity: an arts-based group intervention for people with chronic pain

A growing body of research suggests that hope and other positive emotions are important in disrupting the cycle of pain and negative emotionality common to chronic pain sufferers. This qualitative research study focuses on the in-session experience of hope for participants during a specific arts-based hope intervention, as part of an evidence-based group therapy programme called Being Hopeful in the Face of Chronic Pain (BHFCP). In-depth Interpersonal Process Recall interviews were conducted with 11 group members to elucidate their experience of hope during the Hope Collage intervention. Findings suggest that, during this activity, hope was increased through several mechanisms. Specifically, group members described "Coming together in hope", "Hope in relation to the 'other'", and "Internalizing hope" as important aspects of their in-session experience. Implications of these findings are discussed, with an eye to group process and how to support hope via creative means in this population.