Creative Arts Therapy on the Mental Health of Students in Smoke-free Universities

This study explored the mental health of students in smoke-free universities and the influence of creative arts therapy during COVID-19 pandemic period. 1) The survey was conducted from March to April, 2020, and students in smoke-free universities were invited to fill out and forward the questionnaire through social software such as QQ and WeChat. The subjects of the survey are 800 students studying in smoke-free colleges and universities in South China. 2) The experimental research method was adopted. 40 students in smoke-free universities suffering from psychological stress and depression caused by COVID-19 pandemic were divided into 20 experimental groups and 20 control groups. The control group received no intervention treatment, while the experimental group received creative arts therapy. The survey data of mental health of students in smoke-free universities, mental health assessment standard data and self-esteem scale (SES) were observed. Results: A total of 850 questionnaires were collected, of which 839 were valid, and the effective response rate was 98.7%. As for the scores of the new psychological status of students in smoke-free universities during covid-19 pandemic period and mental health of students in smoke-free universities, the slight degree accounted for the highest proportion (39.7%), followed by the moderate degree of 34.2%. And 47% of the respondents felt lonely, decadent, irritable, emotionally fluctuating and difficult to concentrate. the results of self-esteem scale (SES) showed that there was no significant difference between the two groups before intervention (t=1.782, P=0.08>0.05). After intervention, the score of the study group was 42.74±2.69 points, which was significantly higher than that of the control group (36.11±4.58 points), and the difference was statistically significant (Z=-1.192, P=0.04<0.05). Conclusion: about 53% of the respondents were in good mental health during the epidemic period, and they were able to adjust themselves even if they were in slightly bad mood. However, 47% of the respondents felt lonely, decadent, irritable, emotionally fluctuating and difficult to concentrate. After the intervention of creative arts therapy, the scores of SES indicated that students in smoke-free universities' self-worth and self-acceptance were increased, showing the release of anxiety and mental stress to a certain extent.

The Effect of Creative Arts Therapy on Stress Level and Blood Pressure of The Elderly With Hypertension

The elderly are vulnerable to hypertension due to the accumulation of unhealthy lifestyles for a long time and can be exacerbated by the stress due to the inability to adapt to the decline in physical conditions, changes in roles and social relations, economic ability, degenerative diseases and treatment in the long term. Risk factors for hypertension can caused by stress. Stress management can be done with a combination of creative arts therapy that is singing, drawing, and storytelling which has a relaxing effect. This study aims to determine the effect of creative arts therapy on stress levels and blood pressure of the elderly with hypertension in Kesiman Kertalangu Village, East Denpasar City, Bali, Indonesia. This research was a quasy experiment with pre-test and post-test design. Samples used were 63 elderly with hypertension who experience mild and moderate stress using simple random sampling technique divided into three groups of treatment with the amount 21 elderly of each groups. Stres level of of hypertension were evaluated using The Stress Assessment Questionnaire and blood pressure measurement using manometer. The main results of this study indicated that creative art therapy can reduce stress of the elderly significantly with p value 0.000<0.05. An average of blood pressure in creative art therapy has decreased. Wilcoxon test results showed the p value of blood pressure (sistole;diastole) for singing (0.002;0.014), storytelling (0.009;0.008) and drawing (0.016;0.011) <0.05 which means that there is an effect of those therapy on elderly blood pressure. The results of the Ancova analysis showed no difference in blood pressure results after each intervention was given to the elderly (p value 0.244>0.05 for systole dan p value 0.738>0.05 for diastole). That means that each intervention has a similar effect on reducing blood pressure. Creative arts therapy provides a relaxing effect while performing art activities so that feeling calms down and stimulates the healing process. Further research with a larger population needs to be done to increase public awareness of the benefits of creative art therapy to reduce stress and blood pressure in the elderly with hypertension. Index Terms— : elderly, creative arts therapy, singing, drawing, story telling, hypertension

The heart of the matter: Arts-based reflections, writings and responses during COVID-19

This article will explore themes that emerged from writings and interviews with creative arts therapy colleagues from around the world during the COVID-19 pandemic. We conducted this research from March through October 2020. During this time, everything we thought we knew about our world shifted. People are living in a ‘liminal’ in-between threshold space from pre-pandemic times to the space of the moment, in between what was and will be. Issues we are living through are immediate and also existential as we negotiate local, national and global collective anxiety, trauma and survival. Artists are familiar with navigating and working in this type of liminal space. The creative process involves learning to stay with unknowns and ambiguity as part of the act of creation. This article shares thoughts and reflections with regard to being of service to others in this time of worldwide crisis.

Sculpting Expression: A Creative Arts Therapy Exhibition

Exhibitions have the potential to affect the lives of visitors and the artists themselves. This article considers the potential influence of exhibitions as a culminating factor in creative arts therapy experiences for young adults with autism. It explores the therapeutic potential of using the gallery as a space for change as well as to enhance socially inclusive experiences for the participating artists. Findings from this study suggest that participating in an exhibition as a final component of creative arts therapy sessions may enhance the therapeutic benefits for client-artists with autism and may influence the perception of visitors.