Date of Award
12-2018
Embargo Period
3-11-2019
Degree Type
Thesis
Degree Name
Bachelor of Arts/Bachelor of Teaching (Honours) BA/BTch (Hons)
Faculty
Education, Business & Science
School
Education
First Advisor
Peter Beamish
Second Advisor
Bev Christian
ANZSRC / FoR Code
111714 Mental Health, 130106 Secondary Education, 130201 Creative Arts, Media and Communication Curriculum and Pedagogy
Abstract
Research into the wellbeing of young Australians has found that many students are struggling with their mental health. This can have a negative impact on their quality of life. This year the Australian government has acknowledged this issue and is providing funding to Beyondblue and Mindmatters so that they can develop wellbeing resources that can be used in schools.
The wellbeing programs that utilize these resources can be are both proactive and reactive in nature. As students spend a significant amount of their school time within their various classes, attention has turned to how various school subjects can impact student wellbeing. One such subject is Visual Arts and this study explored the impact that studying Visual Arts has on students’ wellbeing.
Based in the qualitative paradigm, the study explored the relationship between Visual Art and student wellbeing using a combination of case study and micro-ethnography methodologies. It found that involvement in Visual Art had a positive impact on the students’ mental health and overall wellbeing. Through the semi-structured interviews, the students discussed multiple ways artmaking has helped them to counteract negative aspects of their lives. The study’s findings aligned with past wellbeing research in finding that Art was able to provide students with positive emotions, engagement, positive relationships, accomplishments, meaning, grit, management strategies and a connection to nature. At a time when students are struggling with low levels of wellbeing, it would seem that Visual Arts is one subject that could play a role in improving the wellbeing of students in schools.
Recommended Citation
Latham, M. J. (2018). Artmaking in school and its impact on student wellbeing (Bachelor's thesis, Avondale College of Higher Education, Cooranbong, Australia). Retrieved from https://research.avondale.edu.au/theses_bachelor_honours/64/
Comments
Used by permission: the author
A print copy of this thesis is held in the Avondale College Library (SC Theses 707.1 L34).