A study of creative expression activities and their influence on self-esteem

Literature in the field of adolescent development indicates that adolescence is a time of many physical, social, psychological, and cognitive changes. Present curriculum programs, however, are not designed to directly deal with or assist the adolescent with the multitude of changes he must contend with as he matures. While the adolescent struggles in search of his identity and purpose in life, the curriculum continues to expand in content and factual presentation. Literature and research further verify that unless an adolescent feels good about himself and possesses a positive self- esteem both his academic performance and his social interactions will suffer. It was the purpose of this study to provide opportunities for those students involved to experience growing self- knowledge through specially designed creative expression activities that allowed for the students' creative expression of their thoughts, beliefs, values, attitudes and desires for accomplishment. [...]