When Chaos Met Catharsis

Abstract

This paper describes the impact of Arts Based Therapeutic interventions with children at risk aged 12 – 14 years. Action research was conducted using arts- based therapy sessions at the Community Development Centre, Mumbai, Pune from 23rd September, 2021 to 4th March, 2022. The most pre dominant behavioural concerns of the participants included aggression, distrust, withdrawal from academic engagement, low attention span, disrupted peer interaction. The arts-based therapy intervention was aimed at improving assertiveness and emotional expression through speech and creative writing. The data collection was done with the help of session record sheets. The data analysis was based on behavioural observations, behavioural rating scales, ABT assessment tools and standardized test. The findings suggested enhanced emotional expression, with specific increase in Structuring, Expression and Meaningfulness parameters. Findings also indicate an increase in assertive behaviour. The qualitative observations contribute to the detailed changes along the process. Apart from the targeted domains, participants also displayed regulation of their actions, emotions along with empathy, thus indicating an improvement in Mindfulness domain as a result of arts-based interventions. This study points in the direction of using ABT with children at risk.