Reclaiming a Positive Identity in Chronic Illness through Artistic Occupation

Abstract

This article presents a qualitative study of women's positive reconstruction of self and identity during chronic illness through engaging in textile artwork. Ten women volunteered to be interviewed about the influence of their artistic occupations on their perceived health, well-being, and identity in chronic illness. This article specifically examines identity-related issues within the narratives, guided by the principles of grounded theory. The thematic analysis revealed that the participants' engagement in art-making during illness gradually contributed to a positive identity as a textile artist. Although emerging after the onset of illness, the artist identity enabled each participant to express continuities with her pre-illness self and values. Participants also regained a positive sense of personal growth, status, achievement, and connection with other women, which all appeared to promote their successful adaptation to ill health. The support of social networks and the wider cultural milieu may have enabled participants to commit themselves to their artwork. The findings suggest that meaningful artistic occupation may provide a source of positive identity for people living with chronic illness, even when they have not engaged regularly in art in their earlier adult lives.