UROP Project
***Effects of Community Art Therapy on Caribbean Youth
International, teens, community-based, art therapy, self-esteem, spirituality
Research Mentor: Dr Karina Donald, She, her
Department, College, Affiliation: Florida State University, Fine Arts
Contact Email: kdonald@fsu.edu
Research Assistant Supervisor (if different from mentor):
Research Assistant Supervisor Email:
Faculty Collaborators:
Faculty Collaborators Email:
Department, College, Affiliation: Florida State University, Fine Arts
Contact Email: kdonald@fsu.edu
Research Assistant Supervisor (if different from mentor):
Research Assistant Supervisor Email:
Faculty Collaborators:
Faculty Collaborators Email:
Looking for Research Assistants: Yes
Number of Research Assistants: 4
Relevant Majors: Open to all majors
Project Location: On FSU Main Campus
Research Assistant Transportation Required: Remote or In-person: Partially Remote
Approximate Weekly Hours: 5-7, Flexible schedule (Combination of business and outside of business. TBD between student and research mentor.)
Roundtable Times and Zoom Link:
Number of Research Assistants: 4
Relevant Majors: Open to all majors
Project Location: On FSU Main Campus
Research Assistant Transportation Required: Remote or In-person: Partially Remote
Approximate Weekly Hours: 5-7, Flexible schedule (Combination of business and outside of business. TBD between student and research mentor.)
Roundtable Times and Zoom Link:
- Day: Tuesday, September 2
Start Time: 2:00
End Time: 2:30
Zoom Link: https://fsu.zoom.us/j/6607204460 - Day: Wednesday, September 3
Start Time: 3:00
End Time: 3:30
Zoom Link: https://fsu.zoom.us/j/6607204460 - Day: Thursday, September 4
Start Time: 6:00
End Time: 6:30
Zoom Link: https://fsu.zoom.us/j/6607204460
Project Description
Community engagement is considered helpful among Caribbean people who are navigating challenges. In particular, research indicates the protective nature of social support on adolescent self-esteem and spiritual well-being. It is believed that community art therapy plays a pivotal role in strengthening and enhancing communities and participatory research approach could assist in assessing and addressing community needs. However, it is unclear what are the measurable effects of community art therapy on self-esteem and spirituality among Caribbean youth. Therefore, this project explores the impact of community art therapy on the well-being of Caribbean youth, specifically focusing on self-esteem, religiosity, and spirituality.Research Tasks: Literature review; visual art data analysis; statistical analysis; manuscript preparation
Skills that research assistant(s) may need: The research assistant(s) will be working with graduate students and I to analyze visual and statistical arts data, manuscript preparation and possibly present at the research conference at conferences in 2026. Therefore, it is required for research assistant(s) to be curious about the research process, work with a team, learn from team work for ongoing collaboration. Skills that will be recommended are: literature review, academic writing, data analysis, and preparation of a manuscript. Writing skills are important because we will be preparing at least one (1) manuscript. There will be opportunities to learn new skills; therefore, I recommend that research assistant(s) be open to share their triumphs, mistakes, and questions throughout our research relationship and will the team.
Mentoring Philosophy
Over the past 2 years of being a UROP mentor, I have enjoyed the process of collaborating with students and also seeing them grow in knowledge about themselves and about research. Therefore, I believe that a developmental approach is necessary because mentees learn through having a variety of experiences. I believe that there are phases that mentees work in reaching their professional goals. Each phase is built upon previous knowledge, skills, and experiences. Through disclosing my research and professional experiences that are applicable to mentees’ tasks, I hope that mentees can process how they are gaining new insights and skills to increase openness to talk about successes, challenges, and mistakes in their work. I prefer open communication about mentees’ needs and goals to support accomplishment of research projects.Ultimately, my mentorship model is experiential. Hands-on learning is beneficial to mentees’ development. I do not believe in talking at mentees; talking with mentees creates stronger relationships and teams. Change occurs in teams through mutual encouragement of growth and being flexible. When one team member changes through authentic communication, the entire team shifts and benefits. My collaborative way of processing options in research helps mentees develop skills that are applicable yet unique to their professional goals and personality. By mentees willing to integrate their personality in our collaborative work, their confidence and skills in research blossoms.