Parental Responses to Artistic Processes in Art-Based Parental Training

This pilot study examined parental responses to artistic processes and products in the framework of art-based parental training (ABPT), which was offered concurrent to child art therapy. Thirty-four parents and their children completed scales before and after the 10 month program. Results showed several positive correlations between changes in parental responses to the creative process and improvement in outcome variables of the child in art therapy. These findings suggest that ABPT helps parents gain familiarity with art materials and creative processes, which can lead to a more relaxed therapeutic atmosphere, enhanced parent-child relationships, and better child outcomes.