The Effect of Expressive Arts-Based Intervention on Stress, Well Being, Coping, Anxiety, Positive and Negative Affect among children during Covid-19 Pandemic

Abstract

The aim of the study was to understand the effect of virtual expressive arts-based intervention on stress, anxiety, wellbeing, positive and negative affect during covid-19 pandemic among children. The primary objective was to address the impact of covid-19 pandemic on children and further, understand the usefulness of virtual expressive arts-based interventions. A quantitative approach with an intervention protocol of 6 weeks was used and the data was analyzed using SPSS. The sample comprised of 9^th grade students, in the age range of 13- 16 and hailed from a low socioeconomic status. The results suggested that there was a significant increase in wellbeing, stress, positive affect and decrease in anxiety and negative affect following the intervention in the group as compared to the control group. Moreover, the post test scores of the experimental group suggest that there was a significant increase in positive affect and decrease in anxiety and negative affect following the intervention when compared with the pre-test scores of the experimental group. However, when the post and pre-test scores of the experimental group were compared, no significant difference was found for well-being and stress.