Art therapy and caregiver anxiety, distress and well-being

The aim of this study was to evaluate the effects of art therapy activities applied to caregivers of patients in a palliative care unit on distress, anxiety and well-being.

This study used a quasi-experimental, control group pre-post test design. The research was conducted in the palliative care unit of a training and research hospital. Among the primary caregivers of patients admitted to the palliative care unit, those with a distress score of 4 or higher were included in the sample. Caregivers were given art therapy activities (painting, colouring, clay, collage work) to control stress and anxiety. Data were collected using the Information Form, Distress Thermometer, State Anxiety Inventory and Personal Well-Being Index. The forms were administered twice, at the beginning of the study and the end of the art therapy activities.

The distress scores of the caregivers in the art therapy group were significantly lower than the control group in the post-test. The anxiety scores of the caregivers in the control group did not show a significant change in the pre-post test, while the anxiety scores of the caregivers in the art therapy group decreased significantly in the post-test (p<0.05). It was found that the mean scores of personal well-being of caregivers in the art therapy and control groups did not change significantly between the groups and over time (p>0.05).

This study has demonstrated the positive impact of art therapy in reducing caregivers' anxiety. It is recommended to develop structured art therapy interventions and models for caregivers.