A Single-Case Art Therapy Study to Enhance Resilience in a Child with ADHD

This study explored the emotional and behavioral changes of a child with attention-deficit/hyperactivity disorder (ADHD) through an individual art therapy program aimed at enhancing resilience. The participant was a sixth-grade boy who received 20 sessions of art therapy. Data were collected from observation records, artworks, the Kinetic House-Tree-Person (KHTP) test, the YKRQ-27 Resilience Scale, and pre- and post-assessments. The results showed overall increases in resilience scores, with notable improvements in controllability, positivity, and sociality. KHTP drawings revealed greater emotional stability, structural integration, and openness in self-expression. Thematic analysis indicated reduced anxiety, improved self-efficacy, readiness for peer relationships, and a regained sense of control through artistic expression. These findings suggest that art therapy can enhance resilience in children with ADHD by promoting creative self-expression and stable relational experiences, thereby strengthening core capacities such as emotional regulation, self-efficacy, and social flexibility.