Abstract
At-risk, disadvantaged, and marginalized youth are seldom afforded avenues for healthy self-expression—which, in turn, may further increase risk. Interventions using the arts are often proposed but are seldom formally evaluated. In the present pilot study, we evaluated a brief intensive intervention in which at-risk adolescents partner with professional coaches to write their own play, which is then performed before a live audience. Positive intervention effects were found in decreased hyperactivity/inattention, decreased anhedonia, and improved anger inhibition/suppression. These promising preliminary findings indicate that further study of this type of intervention is warranted.
Original language | English (US) |
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Pages (from-to) | 446-467 |
Number of pages | 22 |
Journal | Journal of Creativity in Mental Health |
Volume | 9 |
Issue number | 4 |
DOIs | |
State | Published - Oct 2 2014 |
Keywords
- adolescents
- creativity in counseling
- expressive arts
- intervention
- playwriting
- school intervention
- theatre arts
ASJC Scopus subject areas
- Clinical Psychology
- Psychiatry and Mental health