The Use of Photo Art Therapy to Increase Self-Esteem in Hispanic Adolescents
Graduation Date
Spring 2011
Document Type
Master's Thesis
Document Form
Degree Name
Master of Arts in Marriage and Family Therapy
Degree Granting Institution
Notre Dame de Namur University
Program Name
Art Therapy
Dean
Lisa Bjerknes, MD, MBA
First Reader
Laury Rappaport, PhD, ATR-BC
Second Reader
Richard Carolan, EdD, ATR-BC
Abstract
The purpose of this grant proposal is to fund a program at The Boys and Girls Club to provide phototherapy with Latino adolescents in order to improve their self-esteem. There is a strong association between adolescents' emotional well-being and positive environments (including family and school environments) that provide them with a sense of belonging, acceptance, and support for autonomy (Brides, Margie, and Zaff, 2001). Talk therapy, along with photographs, can be a powerful, complementary tool for the advancement of adolescent self-esteem.
Art Therapy, in the form of Phototherapy, can assist to increase self-esteem (Nunez, C., 2009).
This research grant proposes a five week group in phototherapy to enhance self-esteem in Latino adolescents. The Art Therapy researcher will conduct art therapy as well as technical photography lessons. The research grant will allow the MFT Intern to evaluate self-esteem through quantitative and qualitative methods. Implementing both a quantitative self-esteem scale and qualitative questionnaires, Ms. Siegel will evaluate how Phototherapy can work to increase self-esteem.