PICTURE (Psychoeducational Intervention for Children of Trauma and Understanding Through Research and Education)

Abstract

The Psychoeducational Intervention for Children of Trauma by Understanding through Research and Education (PICTURE) evaluated whether an art psychotherapy intervention was effective in improving short-term psychological and behavioral outcomes in elementary school children who have witnessed domestic violence. The study population consisted of 45 children, aged 5-12, from three elementary schools in Baltimore County, Maryland, who had witnessed domestic violence. Children were randomized to either an art therapy intervention followed by an arts and crafts class or an arts and crafts class followed by art therapy. Each intervention lasted for 10 sessions and met once a week for 45 to 60 minutes. Information was collected from the children on self-esteem and depression, and from their teachers on the children's behaviors. The information was collected at three time points (baseline, 10 weeks, and 20 weeks). Mixed model analyses showed that the art therapy intervention was significantly more effective than the arts and crafts class in reducing Attention Deficit-Hyperactivity Disorder risk and hyperactivity as measured by the Conners Teacher Rating Scale. There was also suggestive evidence of art therapy effectiveness in reducing depressive symptoms, teacher-rated hyperactivity and teacher-rated oppositional behavior in these elementary aged-children who had witnessed domestic violence. The study results suggest that art therapy may be a viable option toward helping children who have witnessed domestic violence with the resulting psychological symptoms and behaviors.