Thesis (M.A.)--Notre Dame de Namur University, 2018
Includes bibliographical references
Approximately 40% to 60% of elementary-school-age girls, ages six to twelve, are dissatisfied with the way they look, are aware of weight control methods, and experience restrictive food intake (Smolak, 2011). Early intervention with this at-risk population may prevent the development of body dissatisfaction which is a known risk factor for the development of eating disorders. This research study proposed using art therapy as a means to increase body satisfaction and promote positive body image with 41 preadolescent girls, ages nine and ten. It was hypothesized that integrating art therapy with a feminist approach would increase a sense of body image satisfaction as measured by the Physical Appearance Subscale from the Self-Perception Profile for Children. The research was based on six 70-minute sessions. Results did not reveal statistically significant increases of body satisfaction in overall test scores. However, analyzing the test by individual items showed a significant increase in participants' overall estimation of themselves as "good looking". There were significant decreases in participants' desire to look different in terms of overall physical appearance as well as face or hair. Qualitative results showed increased feelings of self-acceptance, appreciation for one's body, as well as more diverse and subjective definitions of beauty. This study suggests that art therapy can be a valuable tool to enhance body image with preadolescent girls and can potentially benefit school-based body image intervention programs
Electronic reproduction. Ann Arbor, Mich. : ProQuest, 2018
