Communications in Humanities Research ISSN: 2753-7072
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Research Article

The F-A-X Pathway: Integrating XR and Arts-Based Action Research in Feminist Art Therapy

Wei WeiArt Center College of Design* Shu DuRome Academy of Fine Arts

* Corresponding author: [email protected]

Abstract

First-generation immigrant women have low fertility rates and face structural barriers and psychological challenges such as limited access to healthcare, fragmented social support networks, and cultural barriers. As a solution to these multidimensional dilemmas, this study proposes the F-A-X Pathway, an integrated framework that can bridge Feminist Art Therapy (FAT), Arts-Based Participatory Action Research (AB-PAR), and Extended Reality (XR). This study is a mixed-method study grounded in the methodology of digital health interventions and online co-creation workshops, with a critical-pragmatic paradigm. Usability, adherence and psychosocial outcomes were quantitatively and qualitatively evaluated through surveys, longitudinal follow-up interviews and multimodal interaction analysis. The study results show that F-A-X Pathway leads to the following outcomes: physical rehabilitation, psychological therapy, and subjectivity re-definition. Moreover, joint co-creation processes facilitated peer-support to thrive within the group as empowerment started taking its course and counter-narratives of structural oppression bloomed. In addition to contributing to the digital transition of art therapy, this study also offers an adaptable and transferable model for marginalized maternal populations living in cross-cultural contexts.

Keywords: Feminist Art Therapy; Participatory Action Research; Extended Reality; Immigrant Women; Maternal Health
Published: October 14, 2025
DOI: 10.54254/2753-7064/2025.NE28389
Volume: CHR Vol.87
pp. 52-57
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