"Vamos a la Escuelita Arte Terapia": An Art Therapy Protocol for Promoting Resilience with Latino Farm Worker Children. (3rd July 2018)

• Record Type: Journal Article
• Authors: Van Lith, Theresa; Quintero, Angela; Pizzutto, Elissa; Grzywacz, Joseph G.
• Is Part Of: Journal of infant, child, and adolescent psychotherapy. Volume 17:Number 3(2018)
• Page Start: 213
• Page End: 228
• Publication Date: 2018-07-03
• Subjects: Child psychotherapy -- Periodicals; Adolescent psychotherapy -- Periodicals; Infant psychiatry -- Periodicals; 616.891405
• DOI: 10.1080/15289168.2018.1490068
• Languages: English
• ISSNs: 1528-9168

Abstract

ABSTRACT: Children of Latino farm worker families risk experiencing emotional and behavioral issues. Yet mental health resources are often inaccessible because of transportation and communication disparities. Subsequently, there is a need for accessible therapy-based programs which cross language and cultural barriers. The pilot study, la Escuelita Arte Terapia, sought to address the compounding needs of the children by running a six-week art therapy protocol within a Latino farm worker community in southern Georgia. The average attendance was 95 percent, with approximately 25 children between the ages of 2 and 7 attending each session. Observational data revealed that several therapeutic goals were successful in building internal resiliency while working to reduce risk factors and improve the participant's school-readiness. Specifically, participants displayed increased developments in their fine and gross motor skills, creative development, emotional expression, behavioral focus, and social engagement. Several factors contributed to the success of la Escuelita Arte Terapia, which included how the promotores acted as mediators between the art therapists and the families, the art therapists' supportive role, the art therapy milieu, and the community connections. It is hoped that future endeavors will build on the intervention proposed to help determine how art therapy can address emotional and behavioral disparities with Latino farm worker children.