Group cinematherapy: Using metaphor to enhance adolescent self-esteem

This study examines the effectiveness of a cinematherapy intervention at enhancing the perceived self-esteem of 16 youth with a serious emotional disturbance. Participants completed the Rosenberg Self-Esteem Scale (RSE) at pre-, post-, and 1-week follow-up within a 6-week coping skills group in which a brief cinematherapy intervention is introduced to a treatment and delayed treatment group. A control group was used, which only received the coping skills training. Results of a split-plot analysis of variance (ANOVA) with one between-groups factor and one repeated-measures factor revealed no significant differences within or between groups, however, meaningful differences between the three groups were found. Implications for counselors and therapists are discussed.