Article Title
“When He Feels Cold, He Goes to the Seahorse“
— Blending Generative AI into Multimaterial Storymaking for Family Expressive Arts Therapy
CHI ’24: Proceedings of the 2024 CHI Conference on Human Factors in Computing Systems
Introduction
This study pioneers the use of generative AI (Midjourney) in family expressive arts therapy, showing how AI-generated visuals—combined with clay, drawing, and storytelling—help children and parents communicate emotions. Through 5-week sessions with 7 families, researchers found AI acts as both a creative amplifier (e.g., turning clay figures into symbolic characters) and therapeutic bridge, revealing family dynamics through metaphors like a child’s “seahorse = comfort.”
Methodology
This study employed a 5-week co-design process with 7 families (18 participants) guided by a therapist. Families used traditional materials (clay, markers) and generative AI (Midjourney) to co-create stories. AI (Midjourney) to co-create stories.
Key findings
- Children projected emotions via AI-generated characters (e.g., dinosaur as an obstacle).
- Role-playing with tokens fostered perspective-taking.
- AI’s Role: Empowerment (lowered creative thresholds), connection (physical-digital fusion).
Conclusion
- AI + traditional materials enhanced therapeutic storymaking by fostering creativity, connection, and reflection.
- AI’s unpredictability turned into creative opportunities (e.g., “diamond banana”).
- Generative AI isn’t just a tool—it’s a co-creator in family healing.
URL
https://doi.org/10.1145/3613904.3642852
2025.04.01 葉卯陽報告 – When He Feels Cold, He Goes to the Seahorse
