A Quasi–Experimental Study to Assess the Effectiveness of Art Therapy on Anxiety Level among School Going Children (6-12 Years) in Selected Schools of Shimla (H.P)

Background: Anxiety is one of the most common experiences of every school going children; it adversely affects the child’s physical and mental aspect of life. Art therapy is a specific counseling approach that helps them to understand muddled feelings and upsetting events that they have not had the chance or the skills to sort out properly. This study highlighted the effectiveness of art therapy in reducing anxiety level among school going children (6-12 years). Aim: To assess the effectiveness of art therapy on anxiety level among school going children (6-12 years) in selected schools of Shimla (H.P.). Objectives: To assess the anxiety level among school going children (6-12years) in experimental group and control group, to administer the art therapy among school going children (6-12 years) in experimental group, to evaluate the effectiveness of Art therapy on anxiety level among school going children (6-12 years) in selected schools of Shimla (H.P.) and to find out the association of anxiety level among school going children (6-12 years) with selected demographic variables. Methodology: A quantitative research approach was used and research design was quasi-experimental. Data was collected by using visual facial anxiety scale. Result: The present study revealed that anxiety level among school going children (6-12 years) decreased significantly after giving art therapy to experimental group but no improvement was seen in control group. Conclusion: The present study concluded that art therapy is simple, inexpensive and culturally acceptable approach that helps children in reducing anxiety and thus result in growth of child in all dimensions.