Thesis
Inmates, identity, and art: the experience of a student art therapist working in a jail
Master of Arts (M.A.), Drexel University
May 2015
DOI:
https://doi.org/10.17918/etd-6188
Abstract
Approximately more than half of the imprisoned persons in the United States are individuals having a mental health diagnosis. As the mental health population within these facilities continues to rise, the lack of mental health professionals serving the population persists. For the student art therapist about to begin an internship at a jail, there is a lack of information, which leads to questions about mixed messages and uncertainty. This thesis addressed the thoughts, feelings, and concerns of a student art therapist completing her internship in a jail through the use of heuristic methodology and artistic inquiry. Through the methods of journaling and spontaneous art making, the researcher identified three themes within the artwork, quality of lines, space utilized and content; and six themes in the journals, boundaries, interactions with colleagues, negative emotions, competence, and lack of interest. Through creative synthesis using a one-canvas process painting, the researcher was able to gain a better understanding of herself as an individual and as a therapist. Recommendations and suggestions for future research and student practitioners was provided based on the results.
Metrics
51 File views/ downloads
38 Record Views
Details
- Title
- Inmates, identity, and art
- Creators
- Jillian Leigh Guldin - DU
- Contributors
- Yasmine J. Awais (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
- 6188; 991014632618804721