THE EFFECT OF ONLINE ART THERAPY INTERVENTION ON EMOTIONAL EXPRESSION AND PSYCHOLOGICAL WELL-BEING OF HEALTHCARE PROFESSIONALS AND THEIR CHILDREN DURING THE COVID-19 PANDEMIC

Muhammet ali Oruç^1*arzu yalçınkaya²Nurhan Eren³

• ¹Samsun Universitesi Tip Fakultesi, Canik, Türkiye
• ²Samsun Il Saglik Mudurlugu, İlkadım, Türkiye
• ³Istanbul Universitesi Saglik Bilimleri Enstitusu, Fatih, Türkiye

Objective: This study aimed to explore the effects of an online art therapy intervention on emotional expression and psychological well-being among healthcare professionals and their children aged 9–14 years during the COVID-19 pandemic. Healthcare workers and their families experienced unique psychosocial challenges during this period, and structured creative interventions were considered a potential support mechanism. Methods: A quasi-experimental mixed-methods design was employed with pre- and post-intervention assessments. The intervention consisted of four online group art therapy sessions delivered via a secure platform, involving both healthcare professionals and their children. Quantitative data were collected using the Emotion Expression Scale, the Psychological Well-Being Scale, and the Mental Health Promotion Scale. Statistical analyses were performed using the Wilcoxon signed-rank test to evaluate pre-post changes. Qualitative insights were gathered from participants’ written reflections and verbal feedback after each session and analyzed thematically. Results: The intervention yielded significant improvements across all quantitative measures (p < 0.05). Participants reported greater emotional expression, enhanced psychological well-being, and higher scores on mental health promotion. Thematic analysis highlighted three central outcomes: (1) enhanced self-awareness and recognition of emotions, (2) strengthened family communication and shared understanding, and (3) reduced anxiety and distress in both parents and children. These results demonstrate that brief, structured online art therapy can provide measurable psychosocial benefits within a short timeframe. Conclusion: Online art therapy represents a promising and feasible approach to supporting the mental health of healthcare professionals and their families during crises such as pandemics. The findings align with recent evidence emphasizing the role of creative arts therapies in reducing psychological burden and promoting resilience. Importantly, the dual focus on children and their parents reinforced family cohesion and mutual support. While the results are encouraging, the study was limited by its relatively small sample size, short duration, and lack of a randomized control group. Future research should therefore employ larger samples, incorporate longer-term follow-up, and use more rigorous designs to establish stronger evidence for the integration of creative interventions into psychosocial support frameworks and public health preparedness strategies.