Art therapy in an academic setting in Singapore aiding to foster self-identity with adolescents: a qualitative inquiry using multiple case vignettes

Adolescence is phase which all individuals go through in life. It is a period of time where the youths are trying to break away from their parents and in search of their own identity. As adolescents spent most of their time in school, it is important to understand how an academic setting could aid to provide social-emotional support for the adolescents. The purpose of this study is to understand how art therapy can benefit adolescence in an academic setting in Singapore by enabling them to create a positive self-identity. The research findings is based on an qualitative research methods with the usage of two case vignettes. Directives were often provided during the art therapy sessions and it vary based on the individual needs. Mask making was conducted with these two case vignettes in attempt to allow them to explore their identity. It enables them to have a communication with both their ideal and actual self with a distance which allows them to develop a new perspective of their own identity. This study is limited as it is conducted only with Chinese adolescents. A bigger sample size with representatives from different races would be able to better represent Singapore multi-racial society.