The study was conducted for seven first graders attending a regular middle school in a large city. The test subjects consisted of three boys and four girls. and to explore the influence of integrated art education on young adults ' school adaptation. ...
The study was conducted for seven first graders attending a regular middle school in a large city. The test subjects consisted of three boys and four girls. and to explore the influence of integrated art education on young adults ' school adaptation. The study was conducted for seven first graders attending a regular middle school in a large city. The test subjects consisted of three boys and four girls. This research was conducted from Mar 28 to Jul 19, 2017 through 12 sessions of an integrated art program (90 min per 1 session) at a classroom of the school.
To verify the program effectiveness, psychological scale and survey were used before and after performing the program, and the phenomenal relationship was measured through peer relationship tests. For the psychological scale, the criteria were classified into individuals and interaction in the adolescents’ group and the group as the whole, and the detailed items of self-regard, personal growth initiative, self-expression, sympathy, cooperation, social solidarity, and school adaptation scale were verified for the significance through t-test. The survey was added with questions on ‘elements of worries,’ ‘understanding myself,’ ‘getting along with peers,’ and ‘school adaptation,’ and
difficulties of school adaptation and program effectiveness were verified subjectively. To analyze individual peer relationship in school, peer relationship test (SNA) was performed, and group members not designated for each item by classmates was defined as maladjusted adolescents (isolated group from relationships) to conduct significant relevance to school adaptation through this program. The group members, most of them had maladjusted relationships, were lethargic and had insensitive self-concept, isolation of peer relationship, low social solidarity and difficulties in school adaptation. Therefore, this research aimed to improve their self-concept, peer relationship, social solidarity and school adaptation through the integrated art program. For changes in the group members, a program mediated with arts and plays was applied. The results were as follows:
The integrated art program had positive effects on adolescents’ school adaptation. For psychological scale, changes of self-growth initiative +0.97, self-expression +0.03, sympathy +0.20, school adaptation +0.50, and social solidarity +0.67 were acquired, while self-regard and cooperation decreased slightly by –0.13 and -0.33, respectively. The significance verification through SPSS statistical t-test revealed effects in self-growth initiative, school adaptation, and social solidarity, showing entire improvement of group scales; the scales of group interaction were not confirmed for the significance. The post-program questionnaire reported positive effects that the integrated art program was helpful for school adaptation for all group members. The integrated art program had positive effects in decreasing relationship maladjustment risks by improving peer relationship. In the post-test of the program, the number of students in the peer relationship safety group increased from 1 to 3, and the relationship isolated risk decreased by 1 of the high risk group moving to the safety group and 1 of the mid-risk group moving to the low risk group. Through the reduction of risks, it was revealed that the group’s peer relationship had improved. The post-test results revealed the below:
First, the integrated art program provides stability in school life and helps experience positive self-recognition and improve peer relationship to improve school adaptation. In the integrated art program, ideal self, materialization of desires, and heroic work help develop individual’s resources, recognize internal desires, and develop active attitude.
Second, when it comes to providing elements to recognize problems, projection and expression through multimedia is effective for adolescents’ growth. Art was excellent for reflecting the recognition and problems of the internal world of individuals without defending, while plays were useful in experiencing new roles, learning physically, and reflecting the attitude responding to their own problems.
Third, expression activities of stories, images, objects, sculptures, and roles as the integrated art program are effective for emotional and behavioral changes of adolescents. Moreover, the experience of similarity and difference through observation in the group was helpful in getting out of the self-centered thinking, expanding self-image of adolescents who were confused of their identities, and developing adaptive attitude.
Fourth, plays and games relieved tensions of adolescents through physical contacts and movements and are effective for promoting interaction. In particular, performance strengthens bonds in the society of intimate relationships, and is effective for groups to experience accomplish through collaborations.
Finally, emotional supports from peers and promotion of ties were reported to have contributed to adolescents’ satisfaction with and adaptation to school life, and display positive influence on adaptation to personal relationships in the future.