Effectiveness of group art therapy for mothers of children with disabilities

Abstract

The present study quantitatively examined the effectiveness of a group art therapy intervention using four standardized measurements assessing parenting stress, perceived stress, depression, and perceived social support. A total of 40 participants from multiple regions across Korea were included, and mothers in the art therapy intervention group (AG: n = 20) participated in 6 sessions of 100 min in length. The results of the statistical analysis showed significant differences between the two groups in parenting stress, perceived stress, and depression with those in the AG reporting a greater decrease in parenting stress, perceived stress, and depression than those in the control group (CG). In terms of perceived social support, no significant difference was found between the AG and the CG. Overall findings support the effectiveness of the group art therapy intervention in enhancing psychological well-being of Korean mothers of children with disabilities.