Arts in Psychotherapy
Volume 47, 2016, Pages 72-78

Evaluation of a school-based creative arts therapy program for adolescents from refugee backgrounds (Article)

Quinlan R. , Schweitzer R.D.* , Khawaja N. , Griffin J.
  • a School of Psychology and Counselling, Queensland University of Technology, Victoria Park Road, Kelvin Grove, Brisbane, QLD 4059, Australia
  • b School of Psychology and Counselling, Queensland University of Technology, Victoria Park Road, Kelvin Grove, Brisbane, QLD 4059, Australia
  • c School of Psychology and Counselling, Queensland University of Technology, Victoria Park Road, Kelvin Grove, Brisbane, QLD 4059, Australia
  • d School of Psychology and Counselling, Queensland University of Technology, Victoria Park Road, Kelvin Grove, Brisbane, QLD 4059, Australia

Abstract

Creative arts therapy programs delivered by qualified therapy professionals have been identified as effective for adolescents affected by adversity. The current study provided a controlled trial of creative arts therapy to address the psychosocial needs of students from refugee backgrounds. Forty-two students participated in a therapy trial, comprising an creative arts group and control group. Mental health and behavioural difficulties were assessed pre and post intervention. Hopkins Symptoms Checklist-25 (HSCL-25) and the Strengths and Difficulties Questionnaire (SDQ) were used to assess well-being. Findings suggested an effect for a reduction in behavioural difficulties for the treatment group. A significant reduction in emotional symptoms was found for the treatment group. Findings provide empirical support for school-based creative arts therapy programs specific to refugee young people. © 2015 Elsevier Ltd.

Author Keywords

Adolescent Music therapy Refugee Creative arts therapy Creative expression

Index Keywords

refugee controlled clinical trial creativity mental health human wellbeing controlled study priority journal checklist psychosocial care Adolescent school health service male female art therapy questionnaire Article Adolescent Behavior human experiment
Link
https://www.scopus.com/inward/record.uri?eid=2-s2.0-84949510446&doi=10.1016%2fj.aip.2015.09.006&partnerID=40&md5=92e63ae06cd96f4d0cd1cf370c8f94de
DOI: 10.1016/j.aip.2015.09.006
ISSN: 01974556
Cited by: 12
Original Language: English