Graduation Date
2024
Document Type
Master's Thesis
Project Type
Mixed Methods
Degree Name
Master of Arts in Art Therapy
Program
Art Therapy
Program Director
Richard Carolan, PhD, ATR-BC
First Reader
Richard Carolan, PhD, ATR-BC
Second Reader
Erin Partridge, PhD, ATR-BC
Abstract
This mixed-methods, mindfulness-based art therapy (MBAT) study explores how different art media and tools affect mindfulness and stress reduction in university students. Undergraduate and graduate university students (N = 11) were recruited to participate in the single-session art therapy study. Participants engaged in a brief mindfulness exercise, known as a body-scan meditation, followed by 20 minutes of art-making. The students who volunteered to participate in this study were randomly assigned to one of two groups — collage or acrylic paint — which determined the media they used for the MBAT portion of the study. Data was collected from students before and after participating in the procedures of the study. Participants provided pre-test and post-test ratings of their current stress levels, written responses to questions about their experiences during the body-scan meditation and MBAT activity, and verbal answers to semi-structured interview questions about their art-making process. Overall, the results support prior art therapy research, indicating that both mindfulness exercises and MBAT interventions can effectively reduce stress levels in university students.
IRB Number
11165
Included in
Art Therapy Commons, Clinical Psychology Commons, Marriage and Family Therapy and Counseling Commons, Other Psychology Commons