Evolution of Creative Expression in the Migration Process

Kirsch, ChristianeChristiane Kirsch, PhD, holds a Doctorate in Psychology. She continued her postdoctoral studies at the Marconi Institute for Creativity in Bologna and founded the Academy for Creativity and Higher Consciousness in Luxembourg, an institute for research and intervention on inspired creativity, transpersonal psychology, and the healing arts.

A wave of global migration is underway and migrants account for 3.5% of the world's population. It is, therefore, a priority to optimize the integration of immigrants within host countries to ensure their well-being. The objective of this study is to reconfirm that forced migration and multiculturalism can inhibit the migrants' creative expression and ensuing personal well-being, and to illustrate that a loss of creative potential can be prevented or restored through an action-research intervention focused on artistic expression under musical induction. The research in this study was focused upon refugees. They were found to possess an uncommon creative profile, with high agreeableness, low openness, and low life satisfaction. By illustrating the benefits of regular creative expression for refugees' mental and physical well-being, this project supports the application of creative and arts-psychotherapeutic workshops during the integration of refugees within host countries.