The field of art therapy has gained momentum in its collaboration with neuroscience in the quest for greater empirical evidence for the efficacy of the field. While there have been a few studies testing the applicability of salivary testing of cortisol with this type of research, no concrete studies have been conducted involving analyzing the effects that multiple sessions of art therapy have on stress. This study obtained empirical evidence determining the effects that a 4-week, mindfulness-based art therapy (MBAT) group had on cortisol concentration and perceived stress from participants. This study employed a quasi-experimental interrupted time-series research design allowing for comparative data between a pretest and posttest value of cortisol in graduate and medical students. Comparisons were made between the cortisol concentrations in all participants before and after the first and last session as well as between the data sets from each session to determine the longevity of effects. In addition, the participants’ perceived stress was quantitatively analyzed through the Perceived Stress Scale (PSS). The intervention being tested was MBAT in a group setting. The information gathered from the cortisol testing has implications for supporting the need for stress reducing programming for graduate-level students, as well as has important implications for using MBAT as a stress reduction tool. / A Thesis submitted to the Department of Art Education in partial fulfillment of the requirement for the degree of Master of Science. / Summer Semester 2017. / July 17, 2017. / Art Therapy, Cortisol, Mindfulness, Mindfulness-based Art Therapy, Stress, Students / Includes bibliographical references. / Theresa Van Lith, Professor Directing Thesis; Dave Gussak, Committee Member; Gregg Stanwood, Committee Member.
| Identifer | oai:union.ndltd.org:fsu.edu/oai:fsu.digital.flvc.org:fsu_552028 |
| Contributors | Allen, Rebecca Joy (authoraut), Van Lith, Theresa (professor directing thesis), Gussak, David (committee member), Stanwood, Gregg (committee member), Florida State University (degree granting institution), College of Fine Arts (degree granting college), Department of Art Education (degree granting departmentdgg) |
| Publisher | Florida State University |
| Source Sets | Florida State University |
| Language | English, English |
| Detected Language | English |
| Type | Text, text, master thesis |
| Format | 1 online resource (106 pages), computer, application/pdf |
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