Researchers at\u00a0 California State University <\/a>decided to take a look at the\u00a0connection between childhood adversity and creativity. They wondered, could having a difficult childhood make you more creative? The study included\u00a083 actors, directors, and designers; 129 dancers; and 20 musicians and opera singers who filled out a number of measures around childhood adversity experiences. Adversity experience include abuse, neglect and family dysfunction.<\/p>\nResearchers\u00a0divided the participants\u00a0into categories of childhood adversity–little to none, low, medium and high level of childhood adversity. Interestingly, the high childhood adversity group, the one with the most anxiety, internalized shame and cumulative traumas, was\u00a0the most connected to the creative process. The creative process helped them engage with the world and the discovery of self. They became deeply absorbed in the creative process and were creatively inspired.<\/p>\n
The thinking is that being able to engage in the creative process and enjoy it could indicate resiliency. Perhaps artists who\u00a0express themselves through the arts and creativity are experiencing a form of transformation.\u00a0It makes sense for a person to find a creative outlet as a way to heal.\u00a0In addition, posttraumatic growth can lead to improved personal relationships, a deeper spiritual walk, and increased self-confidence as you discover you can make it through difficulty. How you respond to difficult matters and if you believe God can use all things for your good, the creative process might be one of those things. Your past doesn’t have to predict your future.<\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"
How many times have you heard an entertainer talk about a difficult childhood and how music or acting seemed to be an outlet for coping? What does a difficult childhood do to a person as they grow? Childhood adversity is typically associated with an increased risk of psychopathology later in life. But, is it possible…<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":419,"featured_media":0,"comment_status":"closed","ping_status":"closed","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"footnotes":""},"categories":[925],"tags":[4512,3309,4511,3302,4513],"class_list":["post-11080","post","type-post","status-publish","format-standard","hentry","category-mintle-mentions","tag-adverse-childhood-experiences","tag-adversity","tag-creative","tag-creativity","tag-difficult-childhood"],"yoast_head":"\n
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<\/p>\n