Art Therapy as a Support: for the Acculturation of East Asian International Students in the United States
Graduation Date
Spring 2016
Document Type
Master's Thesis
Degree Name
Master of Arts in Marriage and Family Therapy
Degree Granting Institution
Notre Dame de Namur University
Program Name
Art Therapy
Dean
John Lemmon, PhD
First Reader
Jennifer Harrison, PsyD, ATR-BC, DAAETS
Second Reader
Deann Acton, MA, MFT, ATR-BC
Abstract
This research examines how the acculturation process can be facilitated for East Asian international students through a practice of art therapy. The art interventions took place in a group, and they were designed to help the participants to become a bi-cultural by covering the process of grief and loss, identifying cultural identity, exploring aspects of Eastern culture and Western culture, and supporting the integration of the both cultures. The outcome of this research study demonstrated that art therapy interventions facilitated participants’ acculturation process after four sessions. This research sparks further inquiry into the beneficial nature of art therapy for a culturally diverse population such as the international student population.