Date of Award

Spring 5-2012

Document Type

Thesis

Degree Name

Master of Science (MS)

Department

EVMS School of Health Professions

Program/Concentration

Art Therapy & Counseling

Abstract

One aim of this study was to help scientifically quantify many art therapists’ belief that artmaking is intrinsically healing. This study explored the effects of mindful art therapy processes (guided clay work meditation and mandala coloring) on stress and anxiety through measurements of blood pressure, heart rate, respiratory rate, and the State-Trait Anxiety Inventory (STAI). Data were collected from 20 undergraduate students from Virginia Wesleyan College and Old Dominion University, both of Norfolk, VA. Ages of subjects ranged from 18 to 40 years old. Through use of repeated measures analysis, the posttest measurements from each subject were compared to their respective pretest results, and the results of each group were compared to the other groups. The only measurement of statistical significance was a decrease in heart rate from the clay work group in comparison to the control and mandala coloring group. Whereas there were limited statistically significant data produced, there were small decreases in stress and anxiety consistent throughout the analysis of the experimental artmaking conditions and have promise for further research.

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DOI

10.25777/a3zy-aq60

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