Expressive art therapy on campus : a true experiment to reduce stress and anxiety in college students

Abstract

This study examined the effects of expressive arts therapy on stress and anxiety in college students. A sample of 35 Lebanese college students aged 18+ were recruited (17 female and 18 male) after initial screening. The screening consisted of the PSS-10 and HAMA to determine levels of anxiety/stress for eligibility. Screened participants were randomly assigned to either the experimental or control group; each condition consisted of two sessions lasting approximately two hours each. The State-Trait Anxiety Inventory (STAI) and Short Stress State Questionnaire (SSSQ) were administered pre- and post- intervention. Participants in both conditions used art material albeit differently: Those in the experimental group used them expressively, whereas those in the control group used them in a prescribed manner—as instructed by the experimenter. Posttests showed a reduction in scores that were statistically significant for the experimental group but not the control group. These findings suggest that expressive art therapy may be used effectively to lower stress and anxiety in college students. Given the brief nature of the intervention and its effectiveness with this population, expressive art therapy may be incorporated in college outreach programs designed to reduce stress and anxiety on campus.