Date of Award
Spring 5-18-2020
Degree Type
Thesis
Degree Name
MA Museum Professions
Department
Communication and the Arts
Advisor
Gregory Stevens, M.A.T.
Committee Member
Renee Robinson, Ph.D.
Committee Member
Ruth Tsuria, Ph.D.
Keywords
mental health, adolescent mental health, museum education, art therapy, clinical art therapy, developmental theory
Abstract
Museums serve as therapeutic environments providing positive, arts engagement opportunities for visitors’ mental wellness and growth. Literature reveals that mental wellness programming in the museum environment predominantly serves adult audiences, yet the presentation of mental illness symptoms commonly begins during adolescence. In response, this study sought to provide an accessible, replicable structure for the design and implementation of adolescent mental wellness programming. Through a qualitative textual and content analysis, this study developed a series of recommendations for the development of said programming informed by the comparison of clinical art therapy practices, adolescent developmental theory, and the strengths of museum education.
Recommended Citation
Himics, Katherine Angela, "Designing for Adolescent Mental Wellness: An Analysis of Museum Education, Art Therapy, and Developmental Theory" (2020). Seton Hall University Dissertations and Theses (ETDs). 2781.
https://scholarship.shu.edu/dissertations/2781
