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

Committee Director

Laura Maloney

Committee Member

Kirsten Herman

Committee Member

MaryAnn Toboz

Abstract

As a result of the importance of hope and quality of life in disease management for individuals who have been diagnosed with lupus, there is support in the literature for the need for an effective intervention that targets these constructs with this population. The efficacy of art therapy in meeting the physical, mental, and emotional needs of diverse populations is also supported in existing research, making this an ideal form of treatment for lupus patients. In an effort to fill a gap in the literature on the relationship(s) between lupus, hope, and art therapy, this study was created. The original intent of this study was to facilitate an eight-session group art therapy hope intervention with adults who have been diagnosed with lupus to determine if participating in the art therapy group had any effects on quality of life and levels of hope. Due to various limitations, the proposed group was not facilitated. Thus, this thesis will review the supporting literature, describe the methodology and group outline for the proposed study, and explore the limitations, considerations, and implications for further practice and research. The sessions of the proposed group are designed to last two-hours each, with the duration of the group lasting four to eight weeks. Each session will consist of a verbal check-in, completion of the abbreviated symptoms checklist (ASC) pre- and post-session, a discussion period to introduce and explore the session theme, the creation of an art process, and a concluding discussion. Pre- and posttest measures that will be used to measure quality of life, levels of hope, and symptomatology include the Modified LupusQoL-US, the Herth Hope Index, and the ASC (respectively). Post-intervention evaluation questionnaires, participant artwork, and group process notes were also intended to provide quantitative and qualitative data. Although the proposed group did not yield any statistical data, the literature and the occurrences that transpired in the preparation for the proposed study suggest that a group art therapy hope intervention would prove to be a promising and effective intervention for individuals with lupus.

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DOI

10.25777/fjj9-rn18

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