Art-based group work and mental health of Chinese migrant elderly people who take care of grandchildren

Chinese migrant grandparent caregivers often face significant mental health risks such as depression, anxiety, and loneliness due to social disconnection, cultural adaptation, and economic pressures. Guided by the cognitive appraisal theory of stress, this study explores the experiences of six Chinese migrant grandparent caregivers (aged 54 to 71) who participated in a six-session art-based group work (ABGW) designed to alleviate perceived stress and enhance mental health. The General Health Questionnaire (GHQ-12) and the Perceived Stress Scale (PSS-14) were administered before and after the intervention for descriptive purposes, while the primary data source comprised session process recordings, participant verbal feedback, and facilitator observational notes. Thematic analysis of these qualitative data revealed three key themes: (1) culturally resonant activities lowered participation barriers and fostered engagement; (2) peer interaction within the group reduced feelings of loneliness and normalized caregiving stress; (3) multi-modal art activities provided accessible non-verbal channels for stress release. These findings suggest that a culturally embedded, art-based group work approach, which thoughtfully integrates familiar Chinese artistic traditions with universally applicable therapeutic techniques, holds promise for alleviating perceived stress and improving the mental well-being of Chinese migrant grandparent caregivers. This study contributes preliminary insights for developing community-based mental health interventions for this underserved population.