Lony Schiltz

Evolution of Creative Expresssion in the Migration Process Lony Schiltz

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 is focused upon refugees. The hypotheses are that the refugees' creative expression increases after participating in creative workshops (H1), along with their perceived life satisfaction (H2), thereby supporting a positive correlation between the two (H3). The creative refugees' personality profile is hypothesized to be characterized by Agreeableness, Emotional stability, and low Openness (H4). The investigation was conducted in refugee centers in Luxembourg, combining quantitative with qualitative research methods; psychometric test results were enriched by qualitative case study analyses, focusing on individual psychological profiles and their evolution. The sample included 19 refugees (10 men, 9 women, MAge = 36.11; SD = 7.18, age range: 20-45). The refugees 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.