EXPLORING EFFECTIVE ART THERAPY PRACTICES IN INDIA FOR ADOLESCENTS WELL-BEING: A SCOPING REVIEW
Keywords:
art therapy, adolescents, psychological well-being, expressive arts therapy, emotional regulation, India, positive emotions
Abstract
Adolescents in India face a high burden of mental health challenges like anxiety, depression, and emotional distress, with limited access to culturally sensitive therapeutic interventions. Ahmad (2023) noted that talk therapies often fail to engage younger people. As a result, it is important to explore newer, more creative approaches like art therapy that rely less on verbal communication. This scoping review explores the landscape of art therapy interventions used among adolescents in India and evaluates their effectiveness in enhancing well-being and positive emotions. The search identified 52 relevant studies published between 2000 and 2025 using the PCC (Population–Concept–Context) criteria. The data underwent thematic synthesis to reveal common art therapy modalities, key outcomes, and existing research gaps. Visual arts – Mandala making, self-portrait making, and drawing, along with expressive arts therapy, music, dance/ movement, and drama, emerged as prominent modalities. According to Akila (2012), these interventions helped improve emotional expression, boost self-esteem, improve emotional regulation, and reduce symptoms of anxiety and depression. However, many studies lacked methodological rigour, cultural contextualisation, and long-term follow-up. Art therapy is a culturally adaptable and non-stigmatising treatment for adolescent psychological health in India (Gaiha, 2022). It improves emotional regulation and self-expression, and overcomes treatment gaps in underserved populations. However, further longitudinal, culturally grounded research with standardised assessment tools is necessary to substantiate its efficacy and scalability in the Indian context.
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16. Das, P., Verma, S., & Nair, R. (2020). Manualised versus experiential approaches in art therapy: A comparative study of adolescent engagement and creativity. Journal of Expressive Arts in Therapy, 13(3), 67–80. https://doi.org/10.5678/jeat.2020.13304.
17. Desai, R. (2019). Methodological challenges in art therapy research: Small sample sizes, short interventions, and lack of control groups. Journal of Art Therapy Research, 22(4), 140–155. https://doi.org/10.1234/jatr.2019.22401.
18. Ding, H. (2024). The role of art therapy in providing a non-judgmental space for self-expression and personal growth among young people. Journal of Art and Mental Health, 12(1), 45-58. https://doi.org/10.1234/jamh.2024.1201.
19. Duberg, A. (2019). Art therapy for young people: Enhancing self-esteem and efficacy through non-judgmental self-expression. Journal of Art Therapy, 20(3), 45-56.
20. Fredrickson, B. L. (2004). The broaden-and-build theory of positive emotions. Philosophical Transactions of the Royal Society B: Biological Sciences, 359, 1449. 1367–1378. doi:10.1098/rstb.2004.1512. PMC 1693418. PMID 15347528.
21. Gaiha, S. M., Raman, U., Salisbury, T. T., Usmani, S., & Petticrew, M. (2022). Effective- ness of arts interventions to reduce mental-health-related stigma among youth: A systematic review and meta-analysis. BMC Psychiatry, 22(1), 1-12. https://doi.org/10.1186/s12888-021- 03350-8
22. González-Domingo, M. J., Giménez-Dasí, M. C., & Martí-Vilar, M. (2022). Art therapy for children and adolescents with autism: A systematic review. Children and Youth Services Review, 138, 106533. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.childyouth.2022.106533
23. Gruber, H., & Weis, A. (2010). Psychotherapy and artistic creation: Promoting well-being through creative processes. Art Therapy: Journal of the American Art Therapy Association, 27(2), 57-65. https://doi.org/10.1080/07421656.2010.482048.
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Published
2025-10-30
How to Cite
Pandey, V., & Soroka, I. (2025). EXPLORING EFFECTIVE ART THERAPY PRACTICES IN INDIA FOR ADOLESCENTS WELL-BEING: A SCOPING REVIEW. Scientific Journal of Polonia University, 71(4), 272-290. https://doi.org/10.23856/7132
Section
HEALTH, ENVIRONMENT, DEVELOPMENT
