The Impact of a Creativity Camp Intervention on Depression and Well-Being in Adolescents

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Abstract Background: Depression is a serious public health problem that often emerges during adolescence. Many adolescents do not respond to standard treatments, necessitating the development of novel interventions. We conducted a preliminary study to assess the impact of a creative arts intervention on depression and well-being in adolescents. Methods: Sixty-nine adolescents 12-17 years completed an eight-day “Creativity Camp” intervention encompassing multiple creative activities. Self-report questionnaires to measure depression, anxiety, and well-being were administered at five time points to allow examination of change across multiple temporal segments: the two weeks before camp, the two weeks of camp, the two weeks after camp, and the 6 months after camp. Additionally, while all adolescents in the study participated in camp, they were assigned to one of two groups to compare change observed during the pre-camp period in one group to the during-camp period in the other group. Results: According to both parent and child reports, pre-to-post-camp, mean adolescent depressive symptoms significantly decreased, and well-being significantly increased, and these changes were sustained two weeks after camp and at the 6-month follow-up. Comparison of change in the pre-camp period to the change observed pre-post camp was significant for parent-reported depression. Conclusions: Preliminary evidence suggests that the Creativity Camp intervention may positively impact adolescent depression and well-being. This evidence highlights the importance of investigating and implementing treatment approaches focusing on creative arts for adolescents with depression.