Date of Award

Spring 5-2011

Document Type

Thesis

Degree Name

Master of Science (MS)

Department

EVMS School of Health Professions

Program/Concentration

Art Therapy & Counseling

Committee Director

Kerry Kruk

Committee Member

LeAnne Brant

Committee Member

Robin Wooling

Committee Member

Sarah Deaver

Committee Member

Shannon Trewartha

Abstract

The purpose of this case study was to utilize art therapy as a means of increasing coping skills and decreasing feelings of loneliness in children whose parents are substance addicted. The subjects consisted of two African American males, ages five and six, both of whom have parents with a history of substance abuse. The Person-in-the-Rain Drawing technique was utilized to measure coping skills before and after the art therapy intervention took place. The Children’s Loneliness Questionnaire was utilized to measure the children’s feelings of loneliness both before and after the intervention as well. It was hypothesized that after six sessions of group art therapy, the participants would experience increased universality as well as increased coping skills.

The results did not fully support the hypothesis, but themes found in the artwork suggested that art therapy was a beneficial tool for addressing difficult topics relating to the their experiences with substance addicted parents. Person A demonstrated fewer coping skills in the second Person-in-the-Rain Drawing. Person B demonstrated greater coping ability in the second Person-in-the-Rain Drawing. Person B also scored lower on the Children’s Loneliness Questionnaire, whereas Person A scored higher. During the one-on-one interview following the six sessions, both participants were able to identify three coping strategies they intended to utilize when in distress. In addition, following this group intervention, the two participants demonstrated healthier boundaries, increased verbalization of traumatic experiences, as well as an ability to identify a safe place.

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DOI

10.25777/fx8g-d914

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