Date of Award

5-2026

Access Restriction

Research Projects

Degree Name

Master of Arts

Department

Marital and Family Therapy

School or College

College of Communication and Fine Arts

First Advisor

Jessica Bianchi

Abstract

The present study explored the efficacy of an art therapy-based resilience curriculum for elementary school students in educational settings, whose communities have been impacted by the 2025 Eaton Canyon Wildfires. This art therapy-based curriculum aims to promote post-disaster recovery for early elementary students affected by wildfire-related stress by using a particular focus on traits of resilience. To measure the efficacy of this study, a mixed methods research approach was conducted to evaluate the curriculum’s impact in building resilience. The study uses early elementary student surveys using a Pre/post Emoji Survey, a modified Emoji Current Mood and Experience Scale (ECMES), teacher feedback via a Qualtrics survey, as well as post-workshop observations and artwork from graduate student facilitators. Triangulation is applied to improve reliability and identify changes that might not be expressed verbally. By integrating quantitative survey data with qualitative insights and input from stakeholders, this mixed-methods approach enables a rigorous, developmentally appropriate evaluation of the curriculum’s effectiveness. The results of the study suggest several key themes in resilience across data sources, including increased emotional regulation, sense of belonging, and self-efficacy.

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