Type of Document	Thesis
Author	McDonough, Kristy Lynn
URN	etd-07092008-170537
Title	Case Studies of Art Therapy as a Tool to Aid Adjustment to College
Degree	Master of Science
Department	Art Education, Department of
Advisory Committee	Advisor Name Title Marcia Rosal Committee Chair David Gussak Committee Member Penelope Orr Committee Member
Keywords	Art Therapy Adjustment Disorder College Adjustment Emerging Adulthood University Counseling Centers
Date of Defense	2008-07-01
Availability	unrestricted
Abstract This study investigated how art therapy can be used as a coping tool for the anxiety provoking adjustment process of transitioning from high school to college. This adjustment period is becoming an area of greater concern for more and more universities today (Tinto, 1993). The purpose of this study is twofold, first to find alternative ways to assist in the coping of this adjustment period, and second to add to the research base of the field of art therapy, more specifically art therapy and adjustment. A literature review will be completed by examining articles and books on such topics as Adjustment Disorder, college adjustment, art therapy, university counseling centers, characteristics of today’s college students and late adolescent and early adulthood development. The sample population will be Florida State University students who sought assistance through the University Counseling Center. The research was conducted as multiple case studies, in order to learn more specific detail of the adjustment process and in what ways art therapy was effective or ineffective. Each participant received five art therapy sessions in which her individual struggle with this adjustment was focused upon in treatment. A pre and post-test of the Student Adaptation to College Questionnaire was administered. Four female participants volunteered to take part in this five session group that occurred over a six week time span. The sessions were approximately one hour and 15 minutes in length. Each group had a specific topic that was developed around the five features of the theory of Emerging Adulthood. Different art media were used throughout the program to provide variety for the participants. The results supported the thesis that art therapy was an effective mode of treatment for adjustment issues related to college. This study also found the theory of Emerging Adulthood was a viable theory for this stage of development.
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