Research Symposium

BIO

Maureen Lorient is a second-year student at Florida State University pursuing a Bachelor of Science in International Affairs and Political Science with a concentration in Public Administration and a minor in Spanish. Her academic interests focus on international development, public policy, and global mental health, particularly within marginalized communities.

Her current research examines how community-based art therapy programs affect adolescent mental health in the Caribbean. This work explores how creative expression and community-centered artistic practices can support self-esteem, spirituality, and religiosity among young people.

Through this research, Maureen investigates how community art therapy practices can function as accessible mental health interventions in Caribbean communities where traditional mental health services may be limited or stigmatized.

Maureen previously lived in Spain, an experience that strengthened her commitment to international engagement and cross-cultural understanding. After completing her undergraduate degree, she plans to pursue graduate study in International Affairs and build an international career focused on global development, policy, and community-centered social programs.

Community Art Therapy and Caribbean Adolescents

Abstract

The following study is designed to determine whether community art therapy improves self-esteem among youth in the Caribbean. The Caribbean as a region has been historically underrepresented, and that also applies to research with art therapy in the region. With a large youth population and an artistic heritage, exploring this subject in the Caribbean is a key step toward understanding the impact of community art therapy on a global scale.

Prior to beginning the experiment, assumption testing was conducted using the Box test. Afterwards, multivariate testing was implemented, with participants from the Caribbean analyzed before and after the community art therapy experiment. From there, a univariate follow-up analysis was used to determine whether there was statistical significance between the dependent variable and individual growth in self-esteem, religiosity, and spirituality.

Based on the univariate follow-up analyses, there was no statistical significance for the self-esteem and religiosity dependent variables; however, there was a statistically significant correlation between community art therapy and increased spirituality among Caribbean youth. Statistical significance would therefore indicate that community art therapy can be a powerful tool for helping youth foster their personal spiritual growth. During times of hardship, spiritual growth through community art therapy can be an effective way to build resilience.

Keywords: Caribbean, Community art therapy, Art therapy, Mental health, Self-esteem