The Benefits of Art on Stress Reduction in College Students
Location
Guzman 202, Dominican University of California
Start Date
4-17-2019 4:00 PM
End Date
4-17-2019 5:00 PM
Student Type
Undergraduate
Faculty Mentor(s)
Matt Davis, PhD
Presentation Format
Poster Presentation
Abstract/Description
Art is a self-expressive medium used not only for artistic purposes, but also clinically in the therapeutic setting. The term “art therapy” was first used by Adrian Hill in 1942, when he used art in the process of recovery from tuberculosis and later became the first art therapist. Art therapy has been found to produce numerous positive benefits across diverse populations, most notably as a healing method for clients with post-stress and trauma related disorders. While art is used in clinical settings, it may have beneficial effects for non-clinical populations. In the current study, relationship between participation in an art class and stress reduction was examined across a sample approximately 50 students recruited from art classes at a northern California university, who were instructed to complete the Stress-Arousal Checklist before and after an art class, as well as a demographics questionnaire. The Stress-Arousal Checklist also measures levels of positive alertness which would prove art to not only to relieve levels of stress, but to also create effects opposite to stress. Data collection in the study still is ongoing; however, it is expected that participants will show significantly lower levels of stress following their art class than was observed in the pretest results. Data analysis will also focus on whether students’ major, grade, gender, or outside artistic involvement to see if there are any individual differences in the effectiveness of art in stress reduction.
The Benefits of Art on Stress Reduction in College Students
Guzman 202, Dominican University of California
Art is a self-expressive medium used not only for artistic purposes, but also clinically in the therapeutic setting. The term “art therapy” was first used by Adrian Hill in 1942, when he used art in the process of recovery from tuberculosis and later became the first art therapist. Art therapy has been found to produce numerous positive benefits across diverse populations, most notably as a healing method for clients with post-stress and trauma related disorders. While art is used in clinical settings, it may have beneficial effects for non-clinical populations. In the current study, relationship between participation in an art class and stress reduction was examined across a sample approximately 50 students recruited from art classes at a northern California university, who were instructed to complete the Stress-Arousal Checklist before and after an art class, as well as a demographics questionnaire. The Stress-Arousal Checklist also measures levels of positive alertness which would prove art to not only to relieve levels of stress, but to also create effects opposite to stress. Data collection in the study still is ongoing; however, it is expected that participants will show significantly lower levels of stress following their art class than was observed in the pretest results. Data analysis will also focus on whether students’ major, grade, gender, or outside artistic involvement to see if there are any individual differences in the effectiveness of art in stress reduction.