The 131st Annual Meeting (November 15-19, 2003) of APHA

Abstract #69987

Jana Kay Slater, PhD¹, Mary Vradelis, MA², and Greg McCombs, BA². (1) Center for Research on Adolescent Health and Development, Public Health Institute, 2001 Addison Street, 2nd floor, Berkeley, CA 94704, 530-756-0146, jslater@phi.org, (2) California Poets in the School, 870 Market Street, #1148, San Francisco, CA 94102

Emerging research has provided evidence that school-based arts education may promote healthy behaviors in students. Previous studies show that students participating in arts education frequently show significant increases in positive social behaviors, self-esteem, self-expression and “connectedness” to school. Further, students with strong connectedness to school are less prone to emotional distress and less likely to engage in health-compromising behaviors including use of alcohol, tobacco and drugs, unsafe sexual practices, and violence. This paper describes the results of a study on the health benefits of a 17-week poetry education program, implemented in 4th grade classrooms in central California. The study incorporated a quasi-experimental design and compared outcomes from groups of treatment and comparison classrooms. Furthermore, case studies of 8 high-risk students provided in-depth information about the nature of protective processes. Results showed that poetry education provided a source of joy and humor for students; improved self-awareness; increased empathy and cooperation among students; increased teachers’ expectations for low-performing students and provided an important avenue for self-expression. Struggling students, e.g., socially isolated children or poor academic performers, responded particularly well to the program. Overall, during a time in which schools are emphasizing academic subjects to the detriment of health promotion, poetry education offers a potentially promising approach for addressing children’s mental health and health-related behaviors, in addition to its other goals. Students gain skills in the academic areas of language arts while simultaneously developing protective internal assets. Information about the curricula and resources will be provided.

Learning Objectives:

• Understand the relationship between poetry education and student mental health. Articulate 5 health benefits students may experience as a result of poetry education. Describe available curricula and resources for poetry education.

Keywords: School-Based Programs, Child Health Promotion

Presenting author's disclosure statement:
I do not have any significant financial interest/arrangement or affiliation with any organization/institution whose products or services are being discussed in this session.