Influence of Art Therapy Students’ Art Practice on Their Professional Identity and Career Commitment

Abstract

Art therapy students’ art practice might influence professional identity and career commitment. Art therapy graduate students (n = 202) in South Korea participated in a survey. This study introduces the Art Practice Scale and associated exploratory factor analysis, which identified 2 subvariables: art competency and attitude toward artwork. The correlation analysis results with the My Vocational Situation Vocational Identity Scale and Career Commitment Measurement showed that art practice, professional identity, and career commitment are positively interrelated. The regression analysis results showed that art practice and study period significantly influenced career commitment, and art practice and age influenced professional identity. This study provides empirical evidence to support that art therapy students’ art practice can have a significant effect on their professional growth.