Art Therapy with an Adolescent: A Case Study

232 Pages·2016·1.35 MB·English

by  Cynthia S. Crawford

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Doctoral Dissertations Graduate School
12-2008
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Cynthia S. Crawford
University of Tennessee - Knoxville
Follow this and additional works at: https://trace.tennessee.edu/utk_graddiss
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Crawford, Cynthia S., "Art Therapy with an Adolescent: A Case Study. " PhD diss., University of Tennessee,
2008.
https://trace.tennessee.edu/utk_graddiss/509
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To the Graduate Council:
I am submitting herewith a dissertation written by Cynthia S. Crawford entitled "Art Therapy with
an Adolescent: A Case Study." I have examined the final electronic copy of this dissertation for
form and content and recommend that it be accepted in partial fulfillment of the requirements
for the degree of Doctor of Philosophy, with a major in Education.
Marianne Woodside, Major Professor
We have read this dissertation and recommend its acceptance:
Jeannine Studer, Joel F. Diambra, Jacob J. Levy
Accepted for the Council:
Carolyn R. Hodges
Vice Provost and Dean of the Graduate School
(Original signatures are on file with official student records.)
To the Graduate Council:
I am submitting herewith a dissertation or thesis written by Cynthia S. Crawford entitled
“Art Therapy with an Adolescent: A Case Study.” I have examined the final electronic
copy of this dissertation for form and content and recommend that it be accepted in
partial fulfillment of the requirements for the degree of Doctor of Philosophy with a
major in Education.

Marianne Woodside, Major Professor

We have read this dissertation
And recommend its acceptance:

Jeannine Studer
_________________________
Joel F. Diambra
_________________________
Jacob J. Levy
_________________________

Accepted for the Council:

Carolyn R. Hodges,
Vice Provost and Dean of the Graduate School

(Original signatures are on file with official student records.)
ART THERAPY WITH AN ADOLESCENT: A CASE STUDY

A Dissertation
Presented for the
Doctor of Philosophy
Degree
The University of Tennessee, Knoxville

Cynthia S. Crawford
August, 2008
Dedication
I dedicate this dissertation to my two sons, Seth and Benjamin, who have inspired
my life. Although I have learned much throughout my academic career, you have taught
me the greatest lessons of life. May your lives be filled with happiness.

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Abstract
Due to the paucity of formal research in the use of art therapy with adolescent
populations, the purported effectiveness of art as an assessment instrument in screening
for emotional disturbance, and the widespread application of art and other expressive
modalities with children, the purpose of this single subject qualitative case study was to
describe the experience of an adolescent, diagnosed with a mood disorder, either singly
or in combination with other psychiatric disorders, and enrolled full-time in a residential
treatment center, while participating in weekly person-centered art therapy sessions. The
participant for this study was a 16-year old adolescent female, diagnosed with mild
mental retardation and bi-polar disorder. Qualitative data, obtained from typed transcripts
of 11 audio-recorded, weekly art therapy sessions, pre- and post-intervention interviews
with treatment center staff, and pre- and post-intervention observational data, were
analyzed using the constant comparative method. Following data analysis, I integrated
and interpreted the findings through the theoretical framework of David Elkind‟s (1978,
1984, 1989, 1998, 1999, 2001) theory of adolescent cognitive development. My findings
indicated that, to a degree, the participant‟s experience paralleled expectations based
upon Elkind‟s proposed characteristics of adolescent development. The participant was
described as receptive to the art therapy intervention, but resistant during times in which
verbal communication was employed over the nonverbal, expressive channels of art
therapy. Overall, findings from this study provided support for existing literature in the
use of art therapy with adolescents. The discussion included implications for counseling
and plans for future research in expressive therapy.
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Table of Contents
CHAPTER ONE ............................................................................................................. 1
INTRODUCTION ....................................................................................................... 1
Chapter Introduction ................................................................................................. 1
Statement of the Problem .......................................................................................... 7
Purpose of the Study ................................................................................................. 9
Research Question .................................................................................................. 10
Definition of Terms................................................................................................. 11
Delimitations ........................................................................................................... 13
Limitations .............................................................................................................. 13
Significance of the Study ........................................................................................ 15
Organization of the Study ....................................................................................... 16
CHAPTER TWO .......................................................................................................... 18
REVIEW OF LITERATURE .................................................................................... 18
Chapter Introduction ............................................................................................... 18
Underlying Premises of Art Therapy ...................................................................... 18
Art as a Therapeutic Tool ....................................................................................... 23
Specific Applications of Art Therapy Techniques with Adolescents ..................... 26
Person-Centered Expressive Arts Therapy ............................................................. 39
Elkind‟s Theory of Adolescent Cognitive Development ........................................ 44
Conclusion .............................................................................................................. 48

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CHAPTER THREE ...................................................................................................... 50
METHODS ................................................................................................................ 50
Chapter Introduction ............................................................................................... 50
Study One: The Pilot Study ................................................................................... 50
Institutional Review Board Approval ..................................................................... 51
Research Question .................................................................................................. 51
Role of the Researcher ............................................................................................ 51
Participant ............................................................................................................... 56
Data Collection Procedures..................................................................................... 57
Data Analysis .......................................................................................................... 58
Findings................................................................................................................... 59
Study Two: The Dissertation Study ........................................................................ 63
Research Question .................................................................................................. 64
Rationale for Methodology ..................................................................................... 65
Type of Design: Descriptive Case Study Design .................................................... 66
Role of the Researcher ............................................................................................ 68
Participant ............................................................................................................... 68
Data Collection Procedures..................................................................................... 69
Data Analysis .......................................................................................................... 75
Method of Verification ........................................................................................... 76
Summary ................................................................................................................. 78

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CHAPTER FOUR ......................................................................................................... 80
FINDINGS ................................................................................................................. 80
Chapter Introduction ............................................................................................... 80
Data Collection ....................................................................................................... 81
Data Analysis .......................................................................................................... 83
Description of Susie ................................................................................................ 85
Art Therapy Sessions .............................................................................................. 88
Descriptions of Key Informants ............................................................................ 104
Interview Findings ................................................................................................ 105
Observational Findings ......................................................................................... 113
Art Therapy Sessions Viewed Through Elkind‟s Theory ..................................... 116
Chapter Summary ................................................................................................. 123
CHAPTER FIVE ........................................................................................................ 125
DISCUSSION .......................................................................................................... 125
Chapter Introduction ............................................................................................. 125
Salient Findings from Art Therapy Sessions ........................................................ 126
Interview Data ....................................................................................................... 148
Elkind‟s Theory of Adolescent Cognitive Development ...................................... 158
Applicability for Susie .......................................................................................... 167
Implications for Counseling .................................................................................. 168
Plans for Future Research ..................................................................................... 177
Conclusion ........................................................................................................... 180
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REFERENCES ........................................................................................................... 181
APPENDICES ............................................................................................................ 195
Appendix A .......................................................................................................... 196
IRB Approval Letter ......................................................................................... 197
Appendix B .......................................................................................................... 198
Agency Letter of Permission ............................................................................ 199
Appendix C .......................................................................................................... 200
Statement of Informed Consent: Student .......................................................... 200
Appendix D .......................................................................................................... 203
Statement of Informed Consent: Parent ............................................................ 203
Appendix E .......................................................................................................... 206
Statement of Informed Consent: Staff .............................................................. 206
Appendix F ........................................................................................................... 208
Interview Questions: Staff ................................................................................ 208
Appendix G .......................................................................................................... 209
Behaviors Targeted for Observation ................................................................. 209
Appendix H ........................................................................................................... 211
Intake Interview ................................................................................................ 211
Appendix I ............................................................................................................ 213
Figures and Tables ............................................................................................ 213
VITA .......................................................................................................................... 221

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