The Effect of Clinical Art Therapy Programs for Adolescent Suicide Prevention

Abstract

Purpose: The purpose of this study is to examine the effects of clinical art therapy programs utilized at schoolson adolescents' suicidal thoughts and stress relief and to validate their effectiveness as a type of adolescent suicideprevention program. Methods: 12 sessions of clinical art therapy for youth suicide prevention were provided, oncea week for 90 minutes, for 20 students at five middle schools in Seoul who were at high risk of committing suicide.By using the paired sample t-test, the study presented qualitative data on the analysis of pre- and post- questionnairesand on the subjects’ EEG test and saliva test. Results: First, through the clinical art therapy program,the subjects’ happiness index improved significantly while their scores of depression and suicidal ideation (suicidalthoughts) decreased. Second, in the EEG and saliva test conducted after the art therapy sessions, emotional stabilityincreased and stress was reduced significantly. Third, according to the results of pre- and post- K-HTP testsand individual activities, the subjects started to recognize the seriousness of suicide and show emotional stabilityand positive changes in overall attitudes, valuing the rights and life of their own ‘precious selves’ (self respect).Conclusion: The results of this study indicate that the clinical art therapy program is significantly effective at preventingsuicidal ideation by reducing suicidal impulses and depression, by increasing the happiness index, whichcan serve as a protective factor against suicide, and by increasing emotional stability while reducing stress. Basedon the results, there is a need to develop policy measures regarding art therapy programs which can be utilizedat schools.