The Application of Mindfulness Based Art Therapy to Reduce Stress for Teachers

<p>This study tested the use of mindfulness based art therapy through the theoretical approach of Focusing Oriented Art Therapy, to reduce stress for elementary school teachers. Nineteen teachers were recruited from an elementary school located in the Bay Area, for a two-week take home exercise that included a pre and posttest using the Teacher Concerns Inventory to assess levels of stress. The intervention included a mindfulness exercise and mandala making while focusing on a positive experience within the week. Qualitative data was collected from teacher responses to the artwork and artwork was assessed using the Formal Elements Art Therapy Scale (FEATS). Quantitative data was collected from the Teacher Concerns Inventory and results from a one-tail paired samples t-test showed a statistically significant reduction in reported stress levels. These results support the hypothesis that a two-week mindfulness based art therapy exercise support stress reduction for teachers.</p>

Name thesis:degree_name

Master of Arts in Marriage and Family Therapy

Level thesis:degree_level

Master's Thesis

Discipline thesis:degree_discipline

Art Therapy

Year dc:date.available

2015

Author dc:creator

• Robinson, Melissa Jennifer

Contributors dc:contributor

• Amy Backos, PhD, ATR-BC
• Ellen McCabe-Wackwitz, LMFT, ART-BC

• Art Therapy
• Mindfulness
• Stress
• Educators
• Counseling Psychology

Repository record dc:identifier

https://scholar.dominican.edu/art-therapy-print-theses/296

OAI identifier oai:identifier

oai:scholar.dominican.edu:art-therapy-print-theses-1295