Socijalna psihijatrija, Vol. 53 No. 1, 2025.
Izvorni znanstveni članak
https://doi.org/10.24869/spsih.2025.3
Artistic Expression of an Adolescent with Borderline Personality Disorder: A Journey into Her Inner World
Adriana Divković Mrše
orcid.org/0009-0001-4973-1934
; Independent Researcher
Dunja Pivac
orcid.org/0000-0002-1362-3640
; The Arts Academy, University of Split
Tomislav Franić
orcid.org/0000-0002-5240-7166
; University Hospital of Split and University of Split School of Medicine, Split, Croatia
Sažetak
This paper is based on a qualitative and quantitative study of the artistic expression of an adolescent with borderline
personality disorder (BPD). The complexity of her mental state is presented in selected artworks from three thematic
cycles. The aim of artistic creation, as well as the study, included three problem areas: discovering the perception of self
with an emphasis on gender/sexual identity, personal interpretation of own artwork, and recognition of own inner states
before and after the artistic creation. Furthermore, the aim also included examining the participant’s mood (personal
satisfaction, self-regulation and self-empowerment) before and after the artistic creation, expressed on discretized visual
analogue self-assessment scales. Additional data used in the study were derived from a structured questionnaire intended
for an interdisciplinary group of external observers. The study results point to risk parameters in the mental health of the
adolescent, and confirm the projective dimension of her drawings/paintings. Artistic expression enables the recognition
of risk parameters in her mental health to both groups of external observers. Furthermore, during and after the artistic
expression, an improved spiritual component of self-perception was observed, as expressed on discretized visual analogue
self-assessment scales. This confirms the underlying assumption of the undeniable usefulness of artistic expression as a
tool and path for discovering, accepting, and potentially transforming oneself.
Ključne riječi
Artistic Expression; Art Therapy; Borderline Personality Disorder; Gender/Sexual Identity
Hrčak ID:
330214
URI
Datum izdavanja:
26.3.2025.
Posjeta: 790 *