Formation of leadership qualities among students using art therapy

Abstract

The research relevance is determined by the growing need to develop emotionally mature and responsible leaders who can effectively manage teams and make decisions in the current-day fast-paced world. Modern challenges require future professionals to possess not only technical knowledge but also a high level of emotional intelligence, creativity and teamwork. The study aimed to determine how art therapy can contribute to the development of these leadership aspects in the student audience and how it can be effectively integrated into the educational process. Methods of theoretical analysis, synthesis, generalisation and systematisation of scientific literature related to art therapy and leadership qualities were used in the study. The main results of the study demonstrated that art therapy is effective in raising emotional awareness among students. During classes on self-expression through art, students learned to better understand personal emotions and recognise their impact on decision-making, which directly improved their leadership skills. Furthermore, art therapy sessions helped students learn how to regulate emotional reactions through the creative process, which reduced stress and developed emotional resilience. Another important result was the improvement of communication skills and the ability to collaborate, as group art therapy tasks encouraged students to interact with each other, discuss their efforts and develop empathy. Art therapy was also substantial in the development of creative thinking, which helped students approach complex problems in a nonstandard way and look for innovative solutions, which is important for leaders in the modern world. The practical significance of this study is determined by the promotion of the integration of art therapy into the curricula of various specialities to promote the development of emotional maturity and leadership skills.