Thesis
Exploring the use of art therapy with children in treatment foster care: addressing issues of self concept
Master of Arts (M.A.), Drexel University
Aug 2008
DOI:
https://doi.org/10.17918/etd-3067
Abstract
This study examined the effect of eight weeks of individual art therapy on two children in treatment foster care, with a specific focus on self concept. This research was conducted after the researcher began her graduate internship at a foster care agency and found very few resources on the topic of art therapy with children in treatment foster care. The design of this study was based on a single case study design in ABA format. Each participant was given a pre-test measure of self concept to assess for baseline level of functioning. They then received seven to eight weeks of individual art therapy sessions, after which the measure of self concept was again administered to assess for any changes that may have occurred. Two African American children participated in this study, an eight-year-old female and a nine-year-old male. The results of a pre-and post-test measure of self concept using the Piers-Harris 2 Children's Self-Concept Scale were recorded, the individual art therapy session notes were presented and the artwork created during the sessions was analyzed. The findings suggest that the individual art therapy sessions had a different effect on each participant's self concept. Each participant had a different and unique set of therapeutic treatment needs, which appeared to be addressed in different ways through creative expression and art making. The results of this study suggest that individual art therapy had some positive effects on the self concept of two children in treatment foster care, which may increase with a larger number of sessions. Art therapy may be an effective treatment intervention for this population; however it appears that more research on the topic is needed.
Metrics
335 File views/ downloads
210 Record Views
Details
- Title
- Exploring the use of art therapy with children in treatment foster care
- Creators
- Meghan J. Krikorian - DU
- Contributors
- Elizabeth Hartzell (Advisor) - Drexel University (1970-)
- Awarding Institution
- Drexel University
- Degree Awarded
- Master of Arts (M.A.)
- Publisher
- Drexel University; Philadelphia, Pennsylvania
- Resource Type
- Thesis
- Language
- English
- Academic Unit
- Creative Arts Therapies; College of Nursing and Health Professions; Drexel University
- Other Identifier
- 3067; 991014632663704721