Art-Based Interventions for Student Mental Well-Being: A Mixed-Methods Study Integrating Visual Arts and Psychology

Abstract

With the increase of modern technology, lifestyle pressure, and academic rigor, there is an increased level of stress, anxiety and emotional regulation among college students which stresses on the need to create more inclusive strategies to address mental health issues. Although conventional counseling is important as it is executed by professionals, the utilization of such services is limited due to issues of stigma, culture, and accessibility. In such a situation, art-based interventions have come into the foreground as an alternative to express their emotions through participation in visual creative activities. This research adopts a mixed-method approach to assess the role of visual art-based strategies on promoting mental health and well-being among university students, incorporating both the perspectives of the visual arts and psychology.

A total of 64 undergraduate students from the same college were included in an introductory workshop on creative practices such as drawing, clay work and visual journaling. They were asked to conduct independent practices for six weeks.  Quantitative data gathered from pre- and post-intervention questionnaires were analyzed and compared using a paired sample t-test showing a notable increase in stress reduction, emotional awareness, and overall well-being (p < .05). Qualitative findings gathered from interviews and focus group sessions show the impact of art-based creative engagement in strengthening emotional awareness, thinking and personal coping mechanisms.