Date of Award

Spring 5-2015

Document Type

Master's Project

Degree Name

Master of Science (MS)

Department

EVMS School of Health Professions

Program/Concentration

Art Therapy and Counseling

Committee Director

Sarah Deaver

Committee Member

Ian Chapel

Abstract

The purpose of this case study was to gain a preliminary understanding of the effects of art therapy on anxious and depressive symptoms in a 32-year-old African American military wife experiencing military-induced separation from her active duty husband. The mixed methods study design included administration of the Beck Depression Inventory (BDI-II) and State-Trait Anxiety Inventory (STAI) before and after six sessions of individual art therapy and a semi-structured interview conducted at the conclusion of the study to gain insight into the participant’s experience of art therapy. Results of the BDI-II revealed no change in overall score pre to post-intervention, but showed improvement in symptoms related to “loss of pleasure, punishment feelings, irritability, and changes in appetite.” Additionally, there was an 18-point reduction in State-Anxiety symptoms pre to post-intervention on the STAI. Themes derived from qualitative content analysis of the transcribed post-intervention interview included: (a) increased coping and reduced stress, (b) validation and expression of feelings, (c) increased self-esteem, and (d) art therapy is beneficial overall. Results of this pilot study suggest that art therapy may be effective in reducing anxiety and mitigating depressive symptoms in women experiencing military-induced separations.

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