Government Insights: Exploring the Effectiveness of Art Therapy through Official Reports and Studies

An overview of The Literature Review

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The Literature Review Background

The U.S. Department of Justice's Office of Juvenile Justice & Delinquency Prevention (OJJDP), in collaboration with the NEA, has released a comprehensive literature review focusing on arts-based programs and art therapies designed for at-risk, justice-involved, and traumatized youths. This review examines recent research in the field of arts-based programs and therapies, specifically exploring their efficacy in bringing about positive behavioral changes. The study encompasses evidence-based juvenile justice and youth prevention, intervention, and reentry programs, serving as a valuable resource for practitioners and communities. It offers insights into effective approaches, promising practices, and areas that should be approached with caution in the realms of juvenile justice, delinquency prevention, and child protection and safety.

The Literature Review

Extensive research suggests that engagement in the arts can significantly contribute to the positive development of youth across various stages of their lives. For instance, Menzer (2015) discovered that early involvement in diverse arts activities correlates with favorable social and emotional behaviors, including empathy, sharing, and mood regulation. A series of longitudinal data analyses, supported by the National Endowment for the Arts (NEA), examined the potential impact of arts engagement, such as participation in choirs or bands, on educational outcomes for children and teenagers from low-socioeconomic-status backgrounds. Catterall, Dumais, and Hampden-Thompson's 2012 study revealed that among socially and economically disadvantaged youth, those with higher levels of arts engagement displayed more positive indicators of academic performance, such as improved grades, test scores, and high-school graduation rates.

This diverse range of arts-based programs is exemplified by the YouthARTS Development Project, initiated in 1995 through a partnership between the Office of Juvenile Justice and Delinquency Prevention (OJJDP) and the NEA. This national evaluation aimed to identify, implement, and refine effective arts-based delinquency prevention programs in Atlanta, Georgia; Portland, Oregon; and San Antonio, Texas. Each site implemented distinct arts-based programs targeting specific at-risk youth populations. Evaluations conducted by Clawson and Coolbaugh in 2001 independently examined the programs in Atlanta, Portland, and San Antonio. Overall, the evaluations indicated positive impacts on the attitudes and behaviors of the youths, including a reduction in delinquent behaviors. However, it is important to note that the evaluations faced certain limitations, such as small sample sizes, high attrition rates, and data collection mismanagement.

Another noteworthy program, Project Venture, focuses on outdoor and experiential activities specifically designed for at-risk American Indian youths. Emphasizing American Indian cultural values, such as connecting with nature, spiritual awareness, family, and respect, Project Venture promotes healthy and prosocial development. Its objectives include fostering a positive self-concept, effective social and communication skills, a sense of community service, decision-making and problem-solving abilities, and self-efficacy. The program primarily targets American Indian communities seeking strategies to prevent alcohol abuse. By utilizing American Indian cultural values and incorporating arts-based activities such as storytelling, speaking, singing, and creative thinking exercises, Project Venture creates a positive environment that leads to prosocial outcomes. An evaluation conducted by Carter, Straits, and Hall in 2007 found that the treatment group demonstrated significantly less growth in substance use compared to the control group across multiple outcome measures (cigarettes, marijuana, alcohol, and other illicit substances).

Art, being an interactive process, provides youths with opportunities to build trust with supportive adults such as therapists, master artists, or teachers. These adults encourage participation in solitary or group activities while reflecting on personal challenges. The creation of a final art product, whether through arts therapy or arts programs, grants youths a sense of accomplishment and serves as a tangible representation of their growth and progress during the healing and rehabilitation process (Vice 2012). While indications of such benefits are promising, further research is necessary to examine and establish the specific contributions of arts components within interventions leading to positive outcomes.

It is important to note that art therapy has demonstrated significant positive effects on the behavior, educational performance, effective communication skills, and healthy development of at-risk youth, as evidenced by the research mentioned in the literature review.

Source:

https://ojjdp.ojp.gov/sites/g/files/xyckuh176/files/media/document/arts-based-programs-for-youth.pdf