261 British Journal of Occupational Therapy June 2010 73(6) Critical review Introduction Creativity plays an important part in the engagement of creative arts occupations. Some believe that creativity has the power to increase self- esteem, promote a sense of purpose and belonging, empower individuals and foster autonomy and competence (Schmid 2005). There is no one core definition of creativity; however, Schmid (2005) defines creativity as: An innate capacity to think and act in original ways, to be inventive, to be imaginative and to find new and original solutions to needs, problems and forms of expression. It can be used in all activities. Its processes and outcomes are meaningful to its user and generate positive feelings (p6). Others have described creativity as a quality or capability that is present in different degrees in all individuals and is evident in essentially all aspects of life (Hasselkus 2002). Hasselkus (2002) contends that using creativity in everyday life may be beneficial to the health and wellbeing of individ- uals, and may improve physical, mental and social wellbeing. Others view creativity as a lifelong process, which can be encouraged and improved (Thompson and Blair 1998, Fisher and Specht 1999). According to Molineux (2004), humans are creative beings; there is an innate need for individuals to engage in creative arts occupations. Occupation is anything and everything that individuals do to occupy themselves; occupation is a group of activities in everyday life, which are named, organised and given meaning by the people taking part in these occupations (Hasselkus 2002). In occupational therapy, occupations are viewed as a basic human need, which help to organise behaviour and Creative arts occupations in therapeutic practice: a review of the literature Nadia Perruzza 1 and Elizabeth Anne Kinsella 2 Key words: Creative arts occupation, literature review, matrix method. The purpose of this study was to conduct a matrix method literature review of published research on the use of creative arts occupations in therapeutic practice. Peer-reviewed original research articles, published between the years 2000 and 2008, were included in the review. The research articles studied creative arts occupations as a therapeutic medium. Twenty-three articles, located through multiple electronic searches, were identified as meeting the criteria of the review. Data analysis included quantitative analysis and qualitative analysis. The findings suggest that the use of creative arts occupations in therapeutic practice may have important qualitative value related to health and wellbeing. Six predominant outcomes were most frequently identified across the studies: enhanced perceived control, building a sense of self, expression, transforming the illness experience, gaining a sense of purpose and building social support. The results suggest that qualitative research may well be the methodology of choice for the study of this topic and raise questions about the paucity of research in this area. Further research into the use of creative arts occupations as a therapeutic approach in occupational therapy and other health and social care disciplines is warranted. © The College of Occupational Therapists Ltd. Submitted: 23 December 2008. Accepted: 22 December 2009. 1 Rehab First Inc., London, Ontario, Canada. 2 University of Western Ontario, London, Ontario, Canada. Correspondence to: Dr Elizabeth Anne Kinsella, Assistant Professor, School of Occupational Therapy, Elborn College, University of Western Ontario, 1201 Western Road, London, Ontario, Canada N6G 1H1. Email: akinsell@uwo.ca Reference: Perruzza N, Kinsella EA (2010) Creative arts occupations in therapeutic practice: a review of the literature. British Journal of Occupational Therapy, 73(6), 261-268. DOI: 10.4276/030802210X12759925468943