Art therapy-based curriculum to address bullying among middle school girls

The issue of bullying in middle schools remains a persistent concern, particularly among
adolescent girls. Students are often targeted by relational aggression, such as exclusion and
rumor spreading, as well as cyberbullying, which can be psychologically damaging and
challenging to detect by adults (Crick & Grotpeter, 1995). These types of bullying can have a
significant impact on a child's emotional well-being, contributing to anxiety, depression, and
withdrawal from academic and social activities (Espelage & Holt, 2001). Girls who are bullied
also show a decline in academic motivation and classroom participation as a result of bullying
(Moore et al., 2017).
Although many school-based programs are designed to reduce aggressive behavior, they
often do not support the emotional recovery of victims (Gaffney et al., 2019). Using personcentered
principles, art therapy allows students to express difficult feelings in a safe and creative
manner (Malchiodi, 2019). Additionally, this approach promotes trust and emotional safety,
which are crucial to the healing process during the development of an individual's identity and
social awareness during adolescence (Erikson, 1968). In addition to strengthening emotional
resilience, art therapy can enhance peer relationships by allowing students to explore and reflect
on their experiences (Kapitan, 2017).