Using Expressive Arts Therapy Techniques to Assist Low Socioeconomic Middle School Students Overcome Barriers in Self-Esteem

The self-esteem of eight eighth grade students who qualified for the National School Lunch Program (NSLP) (i.e. students who receive free/reduced lunches) were measured using the Piers-Harris Childrens Self-Concept Scale, Second Edition. Within this group, expressive arts therapy techniques were implemented in order to provide the adolescents with an approach which provides an opportunity for self exploration, expression, discovery and growth using various mediums. The study focused particularly on those which pertain to art and music therapy activities. A mixed design was used in order to obtain quantitative and qualitative data. The quantitative data were represented by the students\u27 scores from the self-esteem measurement, while the qualitative data were represented by the weekly journaling activities completed by the students, as well as observations and interview