The Effect of an Art Practice-Based Psycho-Training Program on Psychological Well-Being, Care Burden, Expression of Emotions, and Coping Levels of Mothers Who Have Children With Special Needs.

aimThis study was conducted as a feasibility and proof-of-concept intervention to examine whether an art-based psychoeducational program may be associated with changes in the psychological well-being of mothers of children with special needs. Psychological well-being was considered the primary outcome, while caregiver burden, emotional expression, and coping levels were examined as secondary outcomes.

designThis single-group, quasi-experimental study was conducted using a pretest, posttest, and follow-up test.

methodsThe study sample consisted of 30 mothers of children with special needs. Data were collected using an Information Form, Psychological Well-Being Scale (PWBS), Scales, Zarit Burden Interview (ZBI), Emotional Expression Scale (EES), and Stress Coping Styles Scale (SCSS). A setting was created for mothers to interact within the group, and 15 different workshops, based on training and art, were offered. At the end of the study, a technical visit was conducted to a women's cooperative to support the economic empowerment of mothers. Data were analysed using numbers, percentages, means, and standard deviations. Repeated-measures ANOVA and complementary Bonferroni tests were used for comparisons of within-group measurements.

resultsCaregiver burden scores were found to be 44.90 in the pre-test, 20.67 in the post-test, and 17.33 in the follow-up phase; a significant and marked decrease was observed over time (F = 69.374, p < 0.001, Partial Eta Squared = 0.832). Pairwise comparisons showed statistically significant decreases between each measurement phase. In terms of coping styles with stress, the intervention increased self-confident, optimistic, and social support-seeking approaches in the post-test and follow-up phases, while significantly decreasing helpless and submissive approaches. These positive changes were observed to continue in the follow-up measurement. Psychological well-being scores were measured as 345.20 (±73.93) in the pre-test, 361.13 (±73.10) in the post-test, and 382.27 (±73.13) in the follow-up phase; The time effect was found to be statistically significant and very strong (F = 479.324, p < 0.001, Partial Eta Squared = 0.943). The findings indicate that the intervention has a high effect size in reducing caregiver burden and increasing psychological well-being and functional coping styles.

conclusionVarious art workshops and trainings regarding care burden, psychological well-being and emotional expression are effective and are also recommended for mothers with children with special needs. PATIENT OR PUBLIC CONTRIBUTION: Mothers of children with special needs contributed to this study by participating voluntarily in the art-based psycho-training program. Prior to the intervention, participants shared their experiences and needs related to coping with caregiving challenges, which informed the implementation process. Following the program, mothers provided feedback on the content and activities, contributing to the interpretation of the study outcomes. Patients or the public were not involved in the study design, data analysis, or manuscript preparation.

trial registrationClinicalTrials.gov: NCT06535100.