The Application of Mindfulness Based Art Therapy to Reduce Stress for Teachers
Graduation Date
Spring 2015
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
John Lemmon, PhD
First Reader
Amy Backos, PhD, ATR-BC
Second Reader
Ellen McCabe-Wackwitz, LMFT, ART-BC
Abstract
This study tested the use of mindfulness based art therapy through the theoretical approach of Focusing Oriented Art Therapy, to reduce stress for elementary school teachers. Nineteen teachers were recruited from an elementary school located in the Bay Area, for a two-week take home exercise that included a pre and posttest using the Teacher Concerns Inventory to assess levels of stress. The intervention included a mindfulness exercise and mandala making while focusing on a positive experience within the week. Qualitative data was collected from teacher responses to the artwork and artwork was assessed using the Formal Elements Art Therapy Scale (FEATS). Quantitative data was collected from the Teacher Concerns Inventory and results from a one-tail paired samples t-test showed a statistically significant reduction in reported stress levels. These results support the hypothesis that a two-week mindfulness based art therapy exercise support stress reduction for teachers.