The art of mending together : integrating kintsugi and acceptance and commitment therapy : a thesis presented in partial fulfilment of the requirements for the degree of Master of Science in Psychology at Massey University, New Zealand

Abstract

Accessing psychological support remains challenging for many individuals due to long waitlists, high costs, and persistent stigma. The World Health Organization (2022) encourages the development of preventive approaches to empower and promote mental health and wellbeing. Hence, this study aims to offer an accessible, creative, nonclinical preventive intervention. It is grounded in the awareness that everyone experiences psychological challenges to varying degrees. Therefore, equipping individuals with practical psychological skills is necessary and valuable. This qualitative study explored the integration of Kintsugi, the Japanese art of mending broken pottery with lacquer and gold, with Acceptance and Commitment Therapy (ACT) to promote psychological well-being. Kintsugi, a centuries-old Japanese repair tradition, has gained global attention for both its aesthetic and its philosophy of finding beauty in brokenness and imperfection. ACT is an evidence-based approach known to enhance psychological flexibility. Their integration as a creative psychological intervention remains unexplored. Hence, this study examined how participants experienced and made meaning of an integrated Kintsugi-ACT workshop. Data were collected from nine participants who attended a Kintsugi ACT workshop and participated in semi-structured interviews. The workshop translated ACT principles into a hands-on, creative mending process of modern kintsugi. Data were analysed using Reflexive Thematic Analysis (Braun & Clarke, 2021). It revealed five themes: integrating Kintsugi and ACT; realising healing as a mending process; extending from uniqueness to shared experience; preserving, transforming, and opening possibilities; and deepening the self through metaphor. Findings show a dynamic conceptual and practical alignment between Kintsugi and ACT. They mutually enriched each other, enabling participants to learn ACT’s psychological flexibility processes through Kintsugi practice and philosophy. Consequently, kintsugi evolved from a repair technique into a meaningful activity that supported personal growth and wellbeing through psychological processes such as reflection, self-improvement, mindfulness, interpersonal connection, values clarification, and resilience. Participants described repairing not only the pottery but also mending aspects of themselves. The study demonstrated how Kintsugi gives tangible form to ACT’s psychological processes, thereby bridging art and psychology. Practically, it offers an accessible framework in which creativity becomes a compassionate medium for meaning-making and psychological skill development.