The effects of group art therapy on adolescents' self-concept and peer relationship: A mixed-method study. 2021

Chuan-Yung Huang, and Hui Su, and Siew-May Cheng, and Chee-Seng Tan
Department of Thanatology and Health Counseling, National Taipei University of Nursing and Health Sciences, Taipei, Taiwan.

This study examined the effects of group art therapy on self-concept and peer relationships among adolescents using a mixed-method approach. Twelve recruited adolescents from a high school in Northern Taiwan attended weekly 2-h group art therapy sessions for 8 weeks. Through a discovery-oriented approach incorporating focus group interviews and individual interviews, qualitative results revealed that the participants started getting to know themselves better and were able to explore their inner selves while noticing their own emotions. Their self-concept also became more positive along with reduced negative self-concept, increased positive self-concept, and clearer visions towards future goals. Furthermore, the therapy modified adolescents' negative peer relationships by reducing their social anxiety and adjusting their complicated experiences. Participants were found to experience trustable, allied, and compassionate positive peer relationships while having reduced loneliness and improved social skills at the same time. Besides, the participants answered self-concept and peer relationship scales at pre- and post-interventions as well as a 12-month follow-up thereafter. Friedman test on the longitudinal data showed participants reporting consistently higher self-concept and peer relationship at post-intervention and 12-month follow-up than at the pre-intervention stage. Taken together, the findings duly support art therapy in boosting adolescents' self-concept and peer relationships.

UI MeSH Term Description Entries
D007398 Interpersonal Relations The reciprocal interaction of two or more persons. Social Relationships,Husband-Wife Communication,Partner Communication,Communication, Husband-Wife,Communication, Partner,Husband Wife Communication,Husband-Wife Communications,Interpersonal Relation,Partner Communications,Relation, Interpersonal,Relationship, Social,Social Relationship
D010379 Peer Group Group composed of associates of same species, approximately the same age, and usually of similar rank or social status. Group, Peer,Groups, Peer,Peer Groups
D006801 Humans Members of the species Homo sapiens. Homo sapiens,Man (Taxonomy),Human,Man, Modern,Modern Man
D000293 Adolescent A person 13 to 18 years of age. Adolescence,Youth,Adolescents,Adolescents, Female,Adolescents, Male,Teenagers,Teens,Adolescent, Female,Adolescent, Male,Female Adolescent,Female Adolescents,Male Adolescent,Male Adolescents,Teen,Teenager,Youths
D000294 Adolescent Behavior Any observable response or action of an adolescent. Behavior, Adolescent,Adolescent Behaviors,Behaviors, Adolescent
D001155 Art Therapy The use of art as an adjunctive therapy in the treatment of neurological, mental, or behavioral disorders. Therapy, Art,Art Therapies,Therapies, Art
D012649 Self Concept Persons' view of themselves. Self Esteem,Self Perception,Self Confidence,Self-Perception,Concept, Self,Confidence, Self,Esteem, Self,Perception, Self,Perceptions, Self,Self Esteems,Self Perceptions,Self-Perceptions

Related Publications

Chuan-Yung Huang, and Hui Su, and Siew-May Cheng, and Chee-Seng Tan
April 1997, Journal of adolescence,
Chuan-Yung Huang, and Hui Su, and Siew-May Cheng, and Chee-Seng Tan
February 1972, The Journal of school health,
Chuan-Yung Huang, and Hui Su, and Siew-May Cheng, and Chee-Seng Tan
March 2018, Substance use & misuse,
Chuan-Yung Huang, and Hui Su, and Siew-May Cheng, and Chee-Seng Tan
January 1966, The Cerebral palsy journal,
Chuan-Yung Huang, and Hui Su, and Siew-May Cheng, and Chee-Seng Tan
January 1974, The Journal of psychology,
Chuan-Yung Huang, and Hui Su, and Siew-May Cheng, and Chee-Seng Tan
January 2003, Child development,
Chuan-Yung Huang, and Hui Su, and Siew-May Cheng, and Chee-Seng Tan
June 2013, Journal of AIDS & clinical research,
Chuan-Yung Huang, and Hui Su, and Siew-May Cheng, and Chee-Seng Tan
January 2010, Journal of drug education,
Chuan-Yung Huang, and Hui Su, and Siew-May Cheng, and Chee-Seng Tan
July 1978, Journal of clinical psychology,
Chuan-Yung Huang, and Hui Su, and Siew-May Cheng, and Chee-Seng Tan
May 2022, BMJ supportive & palliative care,
Copied contents to your clipboard!