Search Results (99)

Violent crime is a widely recognized public health concern. According to emotion regulation theory, aggressive behavior in violent offenders is linked to maladaptive emotion regulation strategies. However, few studies have explored interventions targeting emotional factors to reduce aggression in this population. Expressive arts therapy (EAT), which facilitates emotional expression and release, has shown therapeutic potential, but its effectiveness for violent offenders remains understudied. This randomized controlled trial examined the effects of an 8-week EAT program on emotion regulation and aggressive behavior in male violent offenders from a prison in China. Participants were assigned to either the intervention group (n = 31) or the control group (n = 34). Outcomes were assessed using cognitive reappraisal tasks, the Implicit Association Test, visual analogue mood scales, and the Emotion Regulation Strategies for Artistic Creative Activities Scale. Key findings revealed that, after 4 weeks of intervention, the experimental group demonstrated significantly improved cognitive reappraisal abilities and weakened “violence-positive” implicit associations, suggesting that enhanced cognitive reappraisal may be one key mechanism through which EAT operates. These results suggest that EAT effectively fosters positive psychological resources (i.e., cognitive reappraisal) and promotes non-violent implicit attitudes among violent offenders. This study provides initial quantitative evidence for EAT as a promising intervention for reducing aggression-related cognitive and implicit processes. Future research should further investigate its long-term effects and underlying mechanisms. Full article

Narrative psychotherapy focuses on jointly discussing life stories with patients to promote shifts in sense of self and narrative identity. Narrative approaches have roots in constructivism which requires various elements or cognitive processes necessary for meaning making, such as the discussion of thoughts and feelings, how thoughts and feeling change over time, and how the patient’s construction of meaning contributes to their sense of self and place in the world. Narrative psychotherapy may have unique elements that promote recovery for people with psychosis. For instance, narrative approaches may help to integrate narratives that are fragmented or focused on illness identity, though the research is limited. The current study is a narrative review that aims to (1) discuss current theoretical and research findings related to narratives and narrative identity in people with psychosis; (2) identify and describe psychotherapy approaches that focus on narratives. We summarize recent findings that highlight positive outcomes for people experiencing psychosis, and how people move towards more integrated and complex narratives. We found a range of therapeutic approaches that focus on narratives including metacognitive therapy (i.e., metacognitive reflection and insight therapy), trauma-based psychotherapy (i.e., trauma-focused cognitive-behavioral therapy for psychosis and narrative enhancement therapy), treatment focused on self-stigma or illness identity (i.e., narrative enhancement and cognitive therapy and self-concept and engagement and life), and art and creative therapies. We discuss interpretation of findings and their implication for mechanisms of change. Full article

Artmaking is recognized as an effective means of supporting emotional regulation and reducing stress, yet little empirical work has directly compared the psychological and physiological effects of digital versus traditional art materials. Guided by the Expressive Therapies Continuum (ETC), this study examined whether drawing with oil pastels on paper or drawing on a digital tablet differentially influenced emotional state, physiological stress, and subjective creative experience following a validated group stress induction. Forty-eight healthy adult women were randomly assigned to create art for 45 min using either oil pastels or a tablet with a digital stylus. Measures included state anxiety, salivary cortisol, emotional valence, arousal, dominance, flow experience, and artmaking experience. Both modalities produced significant reductions in state anxiety, with no differences between groups. Emotional responses also changed significantly from pre- to post-artmaking, again without between-group differences. Cortisol levels did not significantly decrease in either condition, and no differences emerged across flow dimensions or artmaking experience scales. These findings indicate that tablet-based and traditional oil pastel drawing generate comparable emotional and experiential benefits following acute stress. Interpreted through the ETC, results suggest that therapeutic mechanisms of artmaking may be activated across a wider range of media than previously assumed. Digital tools appear capable of facilitating sensory–affective and integrative processes often attributed to traditional materials, thereby supporting their integration into trauma-informed practice. Full article

Substance use disorder (SUD) undermines social connection, identity, and well-being. While art therapy is formally incorporated into clinical treatment, far less is known about how informal, group-based creative activities contribute to recovery. This qualitative study examines whether and how participation in a creative arts group fosters social support and human flourishing among individuals with SUD. We conducted semi-structured, individual interviews of eight adults enrolled in SUD outpatient treatment at the Johns Hopkins Broadway Center for Addiction who voluntarily participated in a creative arts class. Recordings were transcribed and analyzed using an iterative, thematic approach. Analysis revealed four themes: (1) Social connectedness and support—artmaking fostered camaraderie, accountability, and peer encouragement; (2) Holistic and supportive environment—the group offered a safe, nonjudgmental space that affirmed participants beyond their addiction; (3) Emotional renewal through art—creative engagement reduced anxiety, promoted joy, and provided a constructive outlet for emotions; and (4) Reclaiming agency through artistic expression—participants experienced autonomy, skill development, and identity building, which fostered hope and personal growth. Overall, participants viewed artmaking as a catalyst for relational and personal transformation. These exploratory findings generate hypotheses for future research on the role of informal creative arts groups within recovery-oriented care settings. Full article

Background: Pediatric cancer is a highly stressful and potentially traumatic condition affecting physical health, emotional well-being, developmental trajectories, and family functioning. Hospitalization and intensive treatments often exacerbate emotional distress and symptom burden, negatively impacting quality of life (QoL). Integrating psychosocial and expressive interventions into pediatric oncology care is increasingly recognized as essential. Clay therapy is a multisensory, hands-on creative intervention that may promote emotional regulation, coping, and a sense of agency in hospitalized children. Objectives: This prospective pilot study evaluated the effects of clay therapy on emotional and physical well-being in pediatric oncology patients and explored potential indirect effects on caregivers’ emotional status. Methods: From December 2023 to December 2024, forty hospitalized children with onco-hematological diseases and one parent per patient were enrolled. Each child participated in a one-hour clay therapy workshop led by a professional ceramist. Emotional outcomes were assessed before (T0) and immediately after (T1) the intervention using the Visual Analog Scale (VAS) and the ArtsObs observational scale. Physical symptoms, including pain, fatigue, and nausea, were also evaluated. Results: Following clay therapy, children showed statistically significant improvements across all VAS emotional domains, independent of age and gender. ArtsObs assessments confirmed a significant increase in observed mood, with high levels of relaxation and engagement; female patients demonstrated greater mood improvement than males. Significant reductions in pain, fatigue, and nausea were also observed. Parents exhibited a significant improvement in mood following their child’s participation. Conclusions: These findings suggest that clay therapy is feasible and could be an effective supportive intervention in pediatric oncology, benefiting both emotional and physical well-being. Its integration into multidisciplinary, family-centered care models may enhance QoL during hospitalization and provide holistic support for children with cancer and their families. Full article

Traumatic experiences can disrupt one’s sense of safety, self-efficacy, and relationships. Prolonged stress may lead to anxiety, depression, and diminished agency. The embodied, subjective manifestations of trauma call for personalized therapeutic approaches that address symptoms and foster resilience. Group Creative Arts Therapies (CATs) offer relational aesthetic interventions that promote resilience and trauma recovery. Incorporating body-based methods, movement, materials and visual expression, CATs support interoceptive awareness, multisensory integration, embodiment, and emotional–cognitive processing. This article presents a review and conceptual framework of group CAT interventions during wartime, focusing on challenges related to body awareness, self-efficacy, and autobiographical memory. It examines how creative aesthetic approaches help process trauma and strengthen resilience. Drawing on predictive processing accounts of brain function, the article explores the neuropsychological impact of trauma and how creative group work may modulate related brain mechanisms. Creative techniques can foster bodily anchored self-awareness, self-efficacy and processes of traumatic memory reconsolidation. Aesthetic experiences are associated with changes in brain activation and connectivity through processes of embodiment, externalization, and meaning making. On an intrapersonal level, converging evidence highlights the role of sensory and sensorimotor processing, along with the dynamic interplay between Default Mode, Executive Control, and Salience networks, as conceptualized in the Triple Network Model. On an interpersonal level, the literature points to the dynamics of brain and body synchronization, as emerging phenomena during shared creative engagement. These neurodynamics provide a coherent framework for understanding how creative arts-based psychotherapeutic group work can support trauma processing and the cultivation of resilience. Full article

This phenomenologically informed qualitative study gives voice to the experience of a teacher, a special educator, and co-art therapists in art therapy workshops given to first-generation immigrant adolescents in a welcome classroom in Quebec, Canada. This study uses a constructivist–interpretive paradigm, allowing the exploration of individual and interactional dynamics in artmaking. The objective was to explore the experiences and perceptions of a teacher, a special educator, and two art therapists who participated in art-based workshops in a welcome classroom for adolescents, and to understand the meaning these workshops hold for them as well as their perception of the meaning it holds for the young people. Grounded in the Expressive Therapies Continuum (ETC), 17 first-generation immigrant adolescents, their teacher, the special educator, and two art therapists participated in nine art therapy workshops and an art exhibition to foster creativity, openness, and reciprocity. The adolescents had experienced trauma, including wars, violence, and separation, as well as uprooting, and acculturation in the host country. Given the limited research on school-based art therapy workshops in high schools, this study seeks to address that gap by examining how students in a welcome class emerge, unfold, and express themselves through the perspectives of the supporting adults. Reflexive thematic analyses revealed that the art workshops were an emancipatory experience, an existential path to crossing barriers, and a lived space for self-expression. These findings highlight the ETC’s potential in helping immigrant adolescents and their classroom community share their stories and they emphasize art therapy’s transcultural value. Full article

Background: Creative Expressive Therapies, including Art Therapy and Dance/Movement Therapy (DMT), are increasingly integrated as adjunctive interventions in the treatment of complex psychiatric conditions. However, comparative evidence regarding their differential effects across diagnostic groups remains limited. Methods: This exploratory quasi-experimental 2 × 2 factorial study compared Art Therapy and DMT, delivered as adjuncts to treatment as usual, in patients with first-episode psychosis (FEP) and eating disorders (EDs) (N = 36). Participants received ten weekly group sessions. Changes in perceived well-being, emotional tension regulation, and physical tension regulation were assessed at baseline and post-intervention using self-report measures. Data were analyzed using repeated-measures ANOVA and linear mixed-effects models. Results: Significant pre–post improvements were observed across all outcome domains, indicating a transdiagnostic effect of Creative Expressive Therapies. Differential response patterns emerged according to clinical profile and therapeutic modality. DMT was associated with relatively greater improvements in physical tension regulation in patients with EDs, whereas Art Therapy showed relatively greater effects on emotional tension regulation in patients with FEP. Conclusions: Within the limitations of an exploratory, non-randomized design and the use of non-validated outcome measures, the findings suggest modality-specific patterns of response to Creative Expressive Therapies. These results should be considered hypothesis-generating and support further investigation through adequately powered randomized controlled trials employing validated clinical and neurobiological outcomes. Full article

Intergroup communication (IC) serves as a critical arena in which narratives, worldviews, and group behaviors are expressed, confronted, and translated into concrete communicative practices. Within this unique space of interaction, divergent narratives may remain rigid and unchanging, manifesting as parallel monologues that coexist without genuine engagement. Yet, under certain conditions, such communication can also open the door to dynamic processes of mutual challenge, development, and transformation. This narrative literature review aims to strengthen the growing connection between the scholarship on narratives in societies embroiled in intractable conflict and the well-established research tradition on intergroup contact. Specifically, it seeks to enhance our understanding of the interplay between narratives, behaviors, and communication practices in both face-to-face (FTF) and online contexts of IC. While the discussion includes broader global perspectives, the primary case study centers on the ongoing conflict and communicative interactions between Israeli Jews and Palestinians. Full article

Background: Autism Spectrum Disorder (ASD) is a neurodevelopmental condition that affects social interaction, communication, and behavior. Traditional interventions such as Applied Behavior Analysis and sensory integration therapy often lack a person-centered approach. Art therapy offers a creative and holistic alternative for supporting children and adolescents with ASD. Objectives: This study systematically reviewed and evaluated the effectiveness, modalities, formats, and methodological quality of randomized controlled trials (RCTs) involving art therapy interventions for children and adolescents with ASD. Methods: A systematic search of eight databases identified 12 RCTs involving art therapy for children and adolescents with ASD. Intervention outcomes, formats, and methodological rigor were assessed through this systematic review. Methodological rigor was assessed using the Cochrane ROB 2.0 tool, and the Delphi list with four additional items. Results: Art therapy showed promise in reducing ASD symptoms and stress-related symptoms, and in improving social communication, motor skills, language, and neurodevelopment. Most studies had limitations, including small sample sizes, short durations, a high risk of bias, and low methodological quality. Conclusions: Although existing studies suggest that art therapy may benefit children and adolescents with ASD, further rigorously designed studies are required to establish its efficacy and inform evidence-based practice. Full article

Individuals with severe intellectual disabilities and challenging behaviour often face limited access to effective therapeutic interventions, as conventional approaches like cognitive behavioural therapy may not be suitable. Creative arts therapies (CATs), psychomotor therapy, and play therapy have emerged as promising non-verbal alternatives, yet their use in this population remains underexplored. This scoping review aimed to map and synthesize the existing evidence on the application and outcomes of these interventions for individuals with severe intellectual disabilities and challenging behaviour. A comprehensive search was conducted across eight databases in May 2023 (with an update of the search in June 2025). Thirteen studies met the inclusion criteria, namely eight quantitative and five qualitative designs. Interventions included music therapy (n = 7), art therapy (n = 4), a combination of both (n = 1), and play therapy (n = 1); no studies on psychomotor therapy were identified. Reported outcomes were grouped into five domains: cognitive, psychological and emotional, social and interactional, communicative, and creative domain. Improvements were observed in areas such as attention, emotional regulation, social responsiveness, and communicative expression, particularly in structured and attuned therapeutic environments. However, most studies had methodological limitations, including small sample sizes and limited standardisation. These findings suggest potential benefits of CATs and play therapy, while highlighting the need for further research into underrepresented modalities and the use of rigorous single-case experimental designs. Full article

Background: Supported infant-directed singing (IDS) for parents and their preterm infants has proven beneficial for parents and preterm infants’ health and relationship building. Studying parent–infant contingent interactions through behavioral observations is an established method for assessing the quality of interactions. Very few studies have measured contingency between parent and preterm infants in the neonatal period during supported IDS. Methods: We conducted a feasibility study to assess the possibility of analyzing parent–very preterm infant dyads’ contingency during supported IDS in the NICU. We recruited four mother–infant dyads and video-recorded a single music therapy (MT) session before their discharge from the hospital. Two independent researchers coded three selected segments (beginning, middle, and end) from each video, according to adapted behavioral scales with inter-rater agreement analysis. Contingency between infant and maternal behaviors was analyzed. Results: Twelve video segments were coded. High inter-rater agreements (Cohen’s kappa) were found for infant eye-opening (0.93), hand positions (0.79), and head orientation (0.94), as well as maternal head orientation (0.95) and vocalizations (0.95). During supported IDS, increased infant head orientation toward the mother, eyes closed, as well as maternal head orientation toward the infant (all p < 0.001), were recorded compared to no IDS. Direction of the maternal head toward her infant was contingent on the infant’s closed eyes, extended hands, and head not toward mother. Conclusions: This feasibility study demonstrates contingency between mothers and their preterm infants’ specific behaviors during IDS. These interactions can be analyzed through video segments with high inter-rater agreement. The method described might help in evaluating other modalities that might be related to contingency. Recent advances in AI can make this tool easier to accomplish, with further studies to evaluate the importance of contingency for child development. The findings suggest that supported IDS influences infant attention and regulation. Full article

Art therapy serves as a crucial intervention modality for children with autism spectrum disorder (ASD), demonstrating unique value in emotional expression, sensory integration, and social communication. However, current practice presents critical challenges, including the disconnect between design expertise and clinical needs, unclear mechanisms of environmental factors’ impact on therapeutic outcomes, and insufficient evidence-based support for technology integration. Purpose: This study aimed to construct an evidence-based theoretical framework for art therapy environment design for children with autism, clarifying the relationship between environmental design elements and therapeutic effectiveness. Methodology: Based on the Web of Science database, this study employed a dual-track approach comprising bibliometric analysis and micro-qualitative content analysis to systematically examine the knowledge structure and developmental trends. Research hotspots were identified through keyword co-occurrence network analysis using CiteSpace, while 24 representative design cases were analyzed to gain insights into design concepts, emerging technologies, and implementation principles. Key Findings: Through keyword network visualization analysis, this study identified ten primary research clusters that were systematically categorized into four core design elements: sensory feedback design, behavioral guidance design, emotional resonance design, and therapeutic support design. A responsive therapeutic environment conceptual framework was proposed, encompassing four interconnected components based on the ABC model from positive psychology: emotional, sensory, environmental, and behavioral dimensions. Evidence-based design principles were established emphasizing child-centeredness, the promotion of multisensory expression, the achievement of dynamic feedback, and appropriate technology integration. Research Contribution: This research establishes theoretical connections between environmental design elements and art therapy effectiveness, providing a systematic design guidance framework for interdisciplinary teams, including environmental designers, clinical practitioners, technology developers, and healthcare administrators. The framework positions technology as a therapeutic mediator rather than a driver, ensuring technological integration supports rather than interferes with children’s natural creative impulses. This contributes to creating more effective environmental spaces for art therapy activities for children with autism while aligning with SDG3 goals for promoting mental health and reducing inequalities in therapeutic access. Full article

Background/Objectives: Art therapy is a psychotherapeutic technique that involves the creation of tangible visual arts and represents a coping strategy to support children with cancer. Evaluating the effects of such activities on children with cancer is essential for providing evidence of the value that creativity holds within healthcare systems. A dedicated tool for assessing the creative process is the Arts Observational Scale (ArtsObS), focusing on mood and emotional states as key indicators of psychosocial well-being. This study aims to validate a translated version of the ArtsObS in the Italian language. Methods: The translation process followed recommendations for translation and cultural adaptation. The distribution properties of the scores, internal consistency, sensitivity to change, reliability, and convergent validity were assessed through observations conducted by two different evaluators. Results: The ArtsObS in its Italian adaptation is proven to be an adequate tool for capturing changes following an intervention, with good internal consistency and low sensitivity to differences between operators. The analysis supports the reliability of the ArtsObS across different observers. Conclusions: The Italian ArtsObS is a valid and reliable instrument for evaluating the impact of art therapy on pediatric patients’ mood and emotional states. It provides a standardized tool for clinical and research settings to assess creative interventions in pediatric oncology. Full article