Identifies common imagery created by psychiatric inpatients through the amusement park technique; demonstrates how the artwork serves to identify the psychodynamic concerns of the mentally ill substance abuser. Connections are examined relating patients choice of image, psychiatric diagnosis, and drug of choice. This technique offers promise for…

Presents the experience of, and case studies resulting from, working with older adults whose changing physical health has directly affected their emotional health. Claims that adjustments to a new body concept can be aided by a team-oriented approach, which includes medical doctors, physical therapists, occupational therapists, dieticians, and…

Examines fantasies about the opposite sex expressed by 116 children, adolescents, and adults responding to the Drawing from Imagination task of the Silver Drawing Test of Cognition and Emotion. Results indicate that both males and females expressed more negative than positive feelings toward subjects of the opposite sex. Males were more negative.…

Describes the results of a workshop with two groups of art therapists who met to gain a better understanding of the knowledge base of art therapy and professional identity, and the importance of including prescribed content area in curricula. Attempts to offer valuable perspectives by including both art therapy educators and practitioners.…

Drawing from a dialogue between an advisor and thesis student, identifies a postmodern worldview among artists and students coming into the field of art therapy. Identifies art therapy as a postmodern form of socially responsive art and suggests the need for art therapy education to provide flexible learning environments. (Contains 25 references.)…

This study explores how children's drawings, as rated on the Formal Elements Art Therapy Scale (FEATS), are related to their emotional and behavioral health. Participating students (ages 8-16, N=53), attending a therapeutic day school for students with emotional and behavioral disorders, drew a picture of a person picking an apple from a tree…

Explored attitudes and approaches toward research within master's level art therapy training programs. Questionnaires were completed by 25 research methodology instructors of graduate programs in art therapy. Findings suggest profile of diversity of approaches used to educate art therapy trainees in research process. Respondents expressed…

Surveyed art therapists (n=78) to obtain information on types of doctorates received by art therapists. Results revealed rapid increase in number of art therapists with doctoral degrees in recent years. Dissertation topics were diverse; predominant topics being studies of art therapy assessment tools, identification of abuse, and use of art…

Interviewed 20 adolescents recently discharged from Hill End Adolescent Unit. Over one-half of sample described some benefit, most notably from drama therapy, family therapy, and peer group support. Areas of difficulty included objections to video recording and one-way mirrors; dislike of being on grounds of psychiatric hospital; inadequate…

Research has shown that too little stress or stimulation can increase health risks. To determine the effectiveness of mild stimulation on the depression levels and feelings of self-worth of the elderly, 24 withdrawn nursing home residents participated in a non-judgemental 6-month art expression group. Half the group were assigned to a control…

Presented is a collection of case studies by therapists, educators, artists, parents, and recreation leaders, dealing with the arts as learning experiences for handicapped children. Each of the ten articles records the positive effects of arts experiences (dance, art, music, drama) on the growth and development of a particular handicapped child or…

Describes the work of Viktor Lowenfeld in developing creative art experiences for the handicapped, particularly using sculpture with the blind. The bulk of the article consists of excerpts from Lowenfeld's own writings, including a case study of his work with a deaf blind child. (SJL)

Recent research has shown that boys from father-absent homes exhibit greater feminine role identification, delinquency, mental disorders, poor academic performance, and poor self-esteem. This article presents case studies that demonstrate crises of masculine identification for adolescent boys whose lives lack either a present father or male…

Examines assumption that art therapists can objectively identify self-images in drawings by troubled adolescents without talking to these youth. Findings suggest that discussion, though preferable, is not required for identifying self-images. Analysis of adolescents' drawings indicates that structured art assessment can be useful in evaluating…

Details the effectiveness of individual art therapy with a 12-year-old white female whose academic performance decreased after her parents divorced. The treatment focused on problem-solving and self-concept as a means of improving school performance. Results indicate a notable increase in both self-concept and academic performance. (RJM)