Date of Award

1-1979

Document Type

Thesis

Degree Name

Master of Arts

Department

Art

Abstract

This thesis investigates the application of art therapy for the evaluation and treatment of emotionally disturbed children, with a specific focus on the use of clay and Media Dimension Variables (MDV). The author posits that clay is an exemplary medium for therapeutic intervention due to its plasticity, three-dimensional nature, and capacity to range from resistive to fluid states. The study adopts Kagan’s (1969) MDV system to structure therapeutic interventions, categorizing art activities by three distinct variables:

  • Structure: The extent of guidelines or controls (High vs. Low). 

  • Media Quality: The inherent properties of the material (Resistive vs. Fluid). 

  • Task Complexity: The difficulty and motor skills required (High vs. Low).

The methodology introduces a "Clay Continuum," a treatment plan consisting of eight specific variable combinations. Therapy commences with "Low Complexity, Structured, Resistive" tasks to establish safety and control for the child. Over time, the therapist shifts variables to gradually increase demands on the child's impulse control and cognitive abilities, culminating in "High Complexity, Unstructured, Fluid" tasks.

The thesis presents case studies of four children—Erica, Kevin, Sara, and Gregg—to demonstrate the clinical application of this continuum. Results indicate that aligning MDV with a child's specific emotional needs (e.g., using resistive clay to manage aggression or fluid clay to reduce rigidity) effectively promotes behavioral change, self-concept improvement, and emotional integration.

Research Highlights

  • The Problem: The study addresses the need for effective evaluation and treatment modalities for emotionally disturbed children exhibiting maladaptive social and interpersonal behaviors, specifically examining the utility of clay within art therapy.

  • The Method: The researcher utilized Kagan's Media Dimension Variable (MDV) system to design an eight-step continuum of clay activities—manipulating variables of structure, media fluid/resistive quality, and task complexity—during a five-month internship with approximately 65 children at an Illinois residential treatment facility. 

  • Qualitative Finding: Case studies of four subjects (Erica, Kevin, Sara, and Gregg) demonstrated that adjusting clay properties along a continuum facilitated specific therapeutic outcomes, including the reduction of rigid behaviors, the development of impulse control mechanisms, and the ability to distinguish fantasy from reality. 

  • Finding: The study concludes that "resistive" clay aids in channeling aggression and improving concentration in hyperactive or aggressive children, while "fluid" clay challenges rigid children to develop flexible responses and age-appropriate play.

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