Graduation Date
2025
Document Type
Doctoral Dissertation
Project Type
Mixed Methods
Degree Name
Doctor of Philosophy in Art Therapy
Program
Art Therapy
Program Director
Lisa Hinz, PhD, ATR-BC
First Reader
Amy Backos, PhD, ATR-BC
Second Reader
Arnell Etherington Reader
Abstract
This research demonstrates that art therapy is effective in supporting the mental health needs of inpatient women in a psychiatric hospital in Riyadh, Saudi Arabia. In a context where art therapy is relatively new and studied mainly with male patients, the study identifies distinctive vulnerabilities among Saudi women stemming from cultural, familial, social, and economic factors. Using both quantitative and qualitative methods, the study integrates findings from the Diagnostic Drawing Series (DDS), the Self-Expression and Emotion Regulation in Art Therapy Scale (SERATS), and thematic analysis of patients’ art and personal stories. The intervention focused on Dynamically Oriented Art Therapy and Social Character Theory to help patients express personal, cultural, and social challenges contributing to their psychiatric issues. Sessions were conducted with three women over a period of four months. Results indicate that family dynamics and values significantly influence the development of Saudi women’s personalities and behaviors. Participants responded positively to art therapy, valuing it as a safe space for self-expression without social judgment. The study also found that the art therapist was perceived as supportive rather than threatening, a novel observation in the Saudi mental health context. This research establishes a framework for culturally sensitive and gender-specific art therapy interventions, providing evidence of statistically significant benefits for Saudi women. It recommends the continued development of tailored approaches in clinical practice, policy, and research.