Location
Turner Gymnasium
Access Type
Open Access
Presentation Type
Oral presentation
Entry Number
35
Start Date
4-16-2026 12:00 PM
End Date
4-16-2026 1:15 PM
School
School of Liberal Arts and Sciences
Department
Biomedical Science
Keywords
Art, Art therapy, Aesthetic Appreciation, Aesthetic Responsiveness, Creative Behavior, Free Clinic, Patients
Abstract
Art therapy has increasingly been recognized as a complementary intervention in healthcare settings, with demonstrated benefits for stress reduction and overall biopsychosocial well-being. However, limited research has explored aesthetic engagement within medically underserved and economically disadvantaged populations. This study examines aesthetic responsiveness among patients receiving care at the Free Clinic of Central Virginia using a standardized Aesthetic Responsiveness Assessment. The assessment consists of 14 Likert-scale questions assessing individuals’ cumulative aptitude across three domains: aesthetic appreciation, intense aesthetic experience, and creative behavior. Responses and data were collected voluntarily and anonymously, and they were analyzed to better understand how patients in an underserved community perceive art and the frequency with which they engage in art-related activities.
Primary Faculty Mentor(s)
Dr. Price Blair
Primary Faculty Mentor(s) Department
Westover Honors Program
Additional Faculty Mentor(s)
Dr. Allison B. Jablonski Prof. Sierra Schnieder
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Assessing the Aesthetic Responsiveness Among Patients in a Free Clinic Setting
Turner Gymnasium
Art therapy has increasingly been recognized as a complementary intervention in healthcare settings, with demonstrated benefits for stress reduction and overall biopsychosocial well-being. However, limited research has explored aesthetic engagement within medically underserved and economically disadvantaged populations. This study examines aesthetic responsiveness among patients receiving care at the Free Clinic of Central Virginia using a standardized Aesthetic Responsiveness Assessment. The assessment consists of 14 Likert-scale questions assessing individuals’ cumulative aptitude across three domains: aesthetic appreciation, intense aesthetic experience, and creative behavior. Responses and data were collected voluntarily and anonymously, and they were analyzed to better understand how patients in an underserved community perceive art and the frequency with which they engage in art-related activities.