A Correlation Study Using the Formal Elements Art Therapy Scale and the Coopersmith Sel-Esteem Inventory (School Form) With Fourth and Fifth Grade Students
Graduation Date
Fall 2001
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
Lizbeth Martin, PhD
First Reader
Richard Carolan, EdD, ATR-BC
Second Reader
Carolee Stabno, PsyD, MFT
Abstract
Twenty-four fourth and fifth grade students participated in this correlation study. The students were administered the Coopersmith Self-Esteem Inventory- School Form (SEI-SF) and were asked to, "Draw a person picking an apple from a tree," (p.72) using the materials provided (8x10 piece of paper and 12 (c) Mr. Sketch scented markers). Using the SEI-SF, the global self-esteem of each student was measured. Three trained raters then scored the drawings using the Formal Elements Art Therapy Scale (FEATS), an instrument which allows measurement of the form and content of artwork in fourteen different elements. SEI-SF scores were correlated with the FEATS scores, collectively and individually. No correlation in relation to age, gender, or ethnicity were calculated. The total SEI-SF score had a positive correlation of 0.39 with the total FEATS score. For certain FEATS scales, no correlation were found. There was a weak correlation for four of the scales and a negative correlation for four scales of -.2 and below. Two scales had a mild correlation. Five scales however had a positive correlation above .30. Four of these were of a strong correlation. The results of this study would suggest to have some correlation, with certain FEATS Scales, in measuring self-esteem in fourth and fifth grade students.