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Children
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Arts Therapies with Children and Youth: Traditional and Innovative Practice
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Arts Therapies with Children and Youth: Traditional and Innovative Practice

A special issue of Children (ISSN 2227-9067). This special issue belongs to the section "Pediatric Mental Health".

Deadline for manuscript submissions: closed (25 June 2024) | Viewed by 11939

Special Issue Editor

Dr. Michal Bat Or

E-Mail Website
Guest Editor
School of Creative Arts Therapies, Emili Sagol Creative Arts Therapies Research Center, University of Haifa, Haifa 3498838, Israel
Interests: art therapy; art-therapy working alliance; the open studio approach; parental representations through clay sculptures; art therapy for trauma and loss; community-based art therapy; art-based interventions in the field of conflict and peace; and art-based assessments

Special Issue Information

Dear Colleagues,

Arts therapies are types of psychotherapy that use art media, creative processes, materials and their qualities (sounds, colors, movements, and more), and artworks as primary modes of expression, communication, and intervention, and to facilitate transformational processes.

The arts therapies include art therapy, music therapy, dance and movement therapy (DMT), drama therapy, psychodrama, and bibliotherapy. Although a growing number of studies demonstrate the effectiveness of arts therapies among children and youth (e.g., Björling et al., 2019), there is still a need for a more profound examination of processes of change in arts therapies for these age groups  (e.g., Bresler, Nardi, et al., 2022), as well as further research of arts-based assessments (e.g., Bat Or, et al., 2022), and community-based arts therapies projects (e.g., Bat Or, & Zusman-Bloch, 2022).

This special issue, entitled Arts Therapies with Children and Youth - Traditional and Innovative Practice, is dedicated to research and clinical articles relating to the practice of art therapies among children and youth in various settings, including community-based arts therapy programs.  Children and youth who may need art-based therapeutic interventions include refugees and at-risk populations coping with AD/HD, learning disabilities, mental health, social problems, poverty and marginalization, chronic health diseases, political violence, and more. Original research, (e.g., qualitative, quantitative, mix-methods) including reviews (systematic, scoping, literature, etc.), Participatory Action Research, and clinical case studies will be considered for publication.

The submission deadline for this special issue is 25 May 2023.

We look forward to receiving your inspiring contributions.

Dr. Michal Bat Or
Guest Editor

Manuscript Submission Information

Manuscripts should be submitted online at www.mdpi.com by registering and logging in to this website. Once you are registered, click here to go to the submission form. Manuscripts can be submitted until the deadline. All submissions that pass pre-check are peer-reviewed. Accepted papers will be published continuously in the journal (as soon as accepted) and will be listed together on the special issue website. Research articles, review articles as well as short communications are invited. For planned papers, a title and short abstract (about 100 words) can be sent to the Editorial Office for announcement on this website.

Submitted manuscripts should not have been published previously, nor be under consideration for publication elsewhere (except conference proceedings papers). All manuscripts are thoroughly refereed through a single-blind peer-review process. A guide for authors and other relevant information for submission of manuscripts is available on the Instructions for Authors page. Children is an international peer-reviewed open access monthly journal published by MDPI.

Please visit the Instructions for Authors page before submitting a manuscript. The Article Processing Charge (APC) for publication in this open access journal is 2400 CHF (Swiss Francs). Submitted papers should be well formatted and use good English. Authors may use MDPI's English editing service prior to publication or during author revisions.

Keywords

  • art therapy
  • music therapy
  • drama therapy
  • psychodrama
  • dance and movement therapy
  • bibliotherapy
  • children
  • adolescents
  • arts-based assessment
  • community-based arts therapies

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Published Papers (6 papers)

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Research

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20 pages, 1078 KiB  
Article
Comparison between Thai and Indian Adolescents’ Self-Figure Drawing as Child Abuse Art-Based Assessment
by Nisara Jaroenkajornkij, Meghna Girish, Bussakorn Binson and Rachel Lev-Wiesel
Children 2024, 11(9), 1101; https://doi.org/10.3390/children11091101 - 8 Sep 2024
Viewed by 441
Abstract
Background/Objectives: The current study compared Self-Figure drawings from Thai and Indian adolescents to assess the cross-cultural applicability of a child abuse assessment tool. The research aims to understand the extent to which distinctions or similarities arise in Self-Figure drawings among adolescents from two [...] Read more.
Background/Objectives: The current study compared Self-Figure drawings from Thai and Indian adolescents to assess the cross-cultural applicability of a child abuse assessment tool. The research aims to understand the extent to which distinctions or similarities arise in Self-Figure drawings among adolescents from two culturally similar yet distinct backgrounds characterized by differences in religious affiliations, socioeconomic contexts, and political environments. Methods: Employing a mixed-methods approach, the study utilized quantitative measures, including the Traumatic Events Checklist (TEQ-5) and Medical Somatic Dissociation Questionnaire (MSDQ), alongside a qualitative analysis of Self-Figure drawings. Ethical approval was obtained with waived informed consent, and a convenience sample of 386 adolescents aged 13–18 years (193 from Thailand [M = 14.8, SD = 1.73; 135 females (69.9%) and 58 males (30.1%)], and 193 from India [M = 15.2, SD = 1.64; 135 females (69.9%) and 58 males (30.1%)]), who reported experiencing child abuse, participated in the study by completing questionnaires and drawing themselves. Results: The analysis revealed that Thai adolescents had higher MSDQ scores, while Indian adolescents exhibited more prominent pictorial indicators. Indian participants reported experiencing a broader range of event types, whereas Thai adolescents predominantly depicted verbal or emotional abuse. Variations in pictorial indicators were found significant, except for hair, cheek or chin, omitted legs or feet, and omitted eyes. Conclusions: These findings contribute to the understanding of how cultural factors influence adolescents’ self-representations through drawing. The differences in pictorial indicators highlight the nuanced variations within similar cultures, emphasizing the cultural specificity of self-expression. Full article
(This article belongs to the Special Issue Arts Therapies with Children and Youth: Traditional and Innovative Practice)
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12 pages, 273 KiB  
Article
Mapping the Physical Language of Children Diagnosed with Autism: A Preliminary Study
by Dita Federman, Adi Blustein and Tal-Chen Rabinowitch
Children 2023, 10(7), 1091; https://doi.org/10.3390/children10071091 - 21 Jun 2023
Viewed by 1078
Abstract
Children diagnosed with autism spectrum disorder have a unique motor profile, characterized by, for example, unusual posture or compulsive use of the body. However, not much is known about specific characteristics of their physical language, such as their movement direction, their self-touch pattern, [...] Read more.
Children diagnosed with autism spectrum disorder have a unique motor profile, characterized by, for example, unusual posture or compulsive use of the body. However, not much is known about specific characteristics of their physical language, such as their movement direction, their self-touch pattern, etc., and even less is known about these characteristics with regard to their typically developing siblings. In this first of its kind study, we attempted to map the physical language of children diagnosed with autism spectrum disorder and to compare it to their typically developing siblings. To this end, we recruited 12 pairs of siblings, comprising one sibling with a diagnosis of autism and one sibling who is typically developing. The siblings were asked to play for 10 min and were videotaped throughout the interaction. We evaluated the siblings’ physical language using Laban’s movement analysis. We found significant and substantial differences between the physical language of the children diagnosed with autism and their typically developing siblings. The results are discussed in terms of the implications of the differences in physical language between the two populations and how movement analysis could be important for interventions in order to improve the communication and social abilities of ASD children. Full article
(This article belongs to the Special Issue Arts Therapies with Children and Youth: Traditional and Innovative Practice)
21 pages, 20999 KiB  
Article
The Therapeutic Aspects of Embroidery in Art Therapy from the Perspective of Adolescent Girls in a Post-Hospitalization Boarding School
by Nurit Wolk and Michal Bat Or
Children 2023, 10(6), 1084; https://doi.org/10.3390/children10061084 - 20 Jun 2023
Cited by 3 | Viewed by 4847
Abstract
This phenomenological qualitative study explored the experiences of adolescent girls with emotional disorders from post-hospitalization boarding schools who embroidered in an art therapy open studio group. A Youth Participatory Action Research approach and the bioecological model were used to shed light on the [...] Read more.
This phenomenological qualitative study explored the experiences of adolescent girls with emotional disorders from post-hospitalization boarding schools who embroidered in an art therapy open studio group. A Youth Participatory Action Research approach and the bioecological model were used to shed light on the therapeutic process of embroidery. Through a thematic analysis of the focus groups and interviews with 13 participants, we identified five themes specifically related to embroidery: (a) control versus release/freedom; (b) calmness that comes from the repetitive action and focus; (c) the experience of being exceptional versus conventional; (d) the “stitch through time” experience, which involves a dialogue with the past, present, and future through embroidery; and (e) the overt-latent layers of consciousness. The findings suggest that embroidery has therapeutic benefits for this population and supports psychological development. This study reveals that embroidery, whose threads are intricately embedded in society and culture, and may provide a unique and meaningful activity for young people in post-hospitalization boarding schools and enables a social and cultural exploration of self and community. Limitations of this study and recommendations for further research are also discussed. Full article
(This article belongs to the Special Issue Arts Therapies with Children and Youth: Traditional and Innovative Practice)
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12 pages, 236 KiB  
Article
The Meaning of a Group Facilitation Training to Creative Arts Therapists Working in the Public Education System
by Efrat Roginsky, Atara Ben-Haim, Talya Cooper, Shoval Ben-Simon, Dafna Regev and Sharon Snir
Children 2023, 10(6), 933; https://doi.org/10.3390/children10060933 - 25 May 2023
Viewed by 1357
Abstract
Many creative arts therapists who provide group therapy to children and adolescents in the Israeli education system do not feel they were sufficiently trained as group facilitators. Group facilitation training was provided over the course of two consecutive years by a regional support [...] Read more.
Many creative arts therapists who provide group therapy to children and adolescents in the Israeli education system do not feel they were sufficiently trained as group facilitators. Group facilitation training was provided over the course of two consecutive years by a regional support center to over 40 creative arts therapists and their clinical supervisors working in the Israel Ministry of Education. A two-stage qualitative research project examined the participants’ experiences during this training. Interviews were conducted regarding the therapists’ first-year experiences. A questionnaire was administered at the end of the second year. Both were analyzed according to the Consensual Qualitative Research method. The research findings pertain to the participants’ perceptions of group arts therapy in the Israeli education system and included the development of unique group models, the advantages and power of group therapy at school, and the intimidating and disruptive experiences of school settings. The participants also provided their impressions of the training course: their growing confidence and skills, and the many changes required in group arts therapy at public schools to provide more professional and efficient service. The discussion centers on the value of group arts therapy in the education system and the steps needed to enhance therapists’ confidence and efficiency in this field. Full article
(This article belongs to the Special Issue Arts Therapies with Children and Youth: Traditional and Innovative Practice)

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17 pages, 986 KiB  
Systematic Review
Interventions through Art Therapy and Music Therapy in Autism Spectrum Disorder, ADHD, Language Disorders, and Learning Disabilities in Pediatric-Aged Children: A Systematic Review
by Victoria Martínez-Vérez, Paula Gil-Ruíz and Sara Domínguez-Lloria
Children 2024, 11(6), 706; https://doi.org/10.3390/children11060706 - 7 Jun 2024
Viewed by 1747
Abstract
Traditional pharmacological treatments, although effective, often carry potential side effects, which positions art therapy and music therapy as promising non-pharmacological alternatives to alleviate symptoms and improve social, cognitive, and emotional skills without the associated risks. Through a review in the SCOPUS and WOS [...] Read more.
Traditional pharmacological treatments, although effective, often carry potential side effects, which positions art therapy and music therapy as promising non-pharmacological alternatives to alleviate symptoms and improve social, cognitive, and emotional skills without the associated risks. Through a review in the SCOPUS and WOS databases following the PRISMA protocol, a total of 80 articles were analyzed through a series of determined categories and subcategories of analysis. The aim of this study is to evaluate and synthesize the existing evidence on the efficacy and applicability of art therapy and music therapy in the treatment of children with autism spectrum disorder (ASD), hyperactivity disorder (HSDD), developmental language disorders, and language learning difficulties, identifying best practices and key areas for future research. Among the main findings is that art therapy and music therapy have a significant impact on symptomatology, behavior, and communication as well as social, cognitive, and emotional skills in the pediatric populations studied. These therapies are highly valued by the participants with a large majority recognizing their adaptability to different educational and clinical contexts. It is concluded that these therapies have a high potential as viable alternatives or complements to traditional pharmacological treatments, justifying their application and further study in broader therapeutic contexts. Full article
(This article belongs to the Special Issue Arts Therapies with Children and Youth: Traditional and Innovative Practice)
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14 pages, 5902 KiB  
Case Report
A Bird with No Name Was Born, Then Gone: A Child’s Processing of Early Adoption through Art Therapy
by Einat S. Metzl
Children 2023, 10(4), 751; https://doi.org/10.3390/children10040751 - 20 Apr 2023
Viewed by 1678
Abstract
An art-based case study was used to illustrate the therapy journey of a child working through issues related to early adoption. The objective of this case was to review art products and clinical notes systematically, exploring main clinical themes and illustrating both challenges [...] Read more.
An art-based case study was used to illustrate the therapy journey of a child working through issues related to early adoption. The objective of this case was to review art products and clinical notes systematically, exploring main clinical themes and illustrating both challenges related to adoption and the potential of art therapy to support healing within this context. The methods of investigation and report focused on exploring the meaning of narratives, the art products, and the relational dynamic which emerged during sessions. The results are discussed within the context of the relevant literature, emphasizing considerations for working through adoption challenges in art therapy. Full article
(This article belongs to the Special Issue Arts Therapies with Children and Youth: Traditional and Innovative Practice)
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