General and Specific Benefits from the ADF ARRTS Program

The present study was part of an evaluation of the Arts for Recovery, Resilience, Teamwork and Skills (ARRTS) program conducted by the Australian Defence Force (ADF) for wounded, injured and ill veterans as an adjunct to their established treatments. Two previous evaluations, one using categorical judgments and one using standardised rating scales, yielded evidence of overall benefit plus specific benefits in terms of behavioural activation (e.g., sense of purpose and achievement), belonging (sense of social contact and inclusion), sense of flow (concentrated engagement) and good relationships with instructors/mentors. The previous evaluations diverged in their evidence regarding the duration of the benefits of the ARRTS program. The first indicated that high levels of benefit lasted over 24 months, but the second study revealed that the ratings returned to baseline within six months. The current evaluation used primarily categorical judgments of benefits, focusing on the three- and six-month intervals following the program. In agreement with the first evaluation, benefits remained at high levels through the three- and six-month periods. In addition to the categorical judgments, most respondents reported continuing with art-based activities following the program, plus a desire for follow-up contact with fellow participants and arts groups. The results of this and previous evaluations are discussed with respect to emotional memory processes that encode the overall reaction but not its detailed aspects over time.