Effect of the art therapy on self-esteem of male substance dependent patients at Thanyarak Institute.

Abstract

Background : Nowadays substance dependence is a major problem because it influences the mental health of substance abusers themselves and creating a lot of social problems. To develop the various and qualified treatments for substance dependent patients is important to make them quit the substance usage and be recovered. Self-esteem is a significant factor in the treatment of substance dependent behavior and art therapy is an alternative activity to create patients’ self-esteem which is a factor to make them strong enough to finally quit substance abuse.

Objectives : 1. To compare the effect of art therapy on self-esteem in experimental group, before and after. 2. To compare the effect of art therapy on self-esteem in experimental group and control group.

Research design : Experimental research, randomized control trial.

Place of study : Thanyarak institute, Department of Medical Services, Ministry of Public Health

Sample and Method : Fifteen subjects from 30 participants were randomized to be experimental group who received art therapy and another 15 to be control group who received standard treatment at Thanyarak institute. This study used the general information questionnaire and Esteem Inventory: Adult (Ryden) as pre and post-test assessments to assess the effect of art therapy on both groups. The research was carried out from November, 2009 to January, 2010

Result : After receiving art therapy, the experimental group had average self-esteem score ( x = 39.40) which was higher than before receiving Art Therapy(x = 32.67) it statistically significant (p <0.01) and after receiving art therapy experimental group had the average self-esteem score (x =39.40) which was higher than control group (x = 28.20) it statistically significant (p <0.01).

Conclusion : After receiving art therapy the experimental group had higher average self-esteem score than in control group which was statistical significantly at 0.01. After receiving art therapy in experimental group, it is statistically significantly demonstrated higher average score than before the experiment. (p <0.01).