Perception of art-therapeutic techniques in a remote format during the pandemic by respondents of different age groups

Abstract

The current study explores the perception of art therapy techniques among adults of varying age groups in a remote format, aiming to reduce anxiety and stress susceptibility. Two age groups, namely early adulthood (19-25 years) and middle to late adulthood (26-55 years), were examined, considering the emotional experiences of adults during the initial wave of the COVID-19 pandemic (negative psy-chological emotions during the pandemic, depressive states, stress, and anxiety level). The interplay between emotional aspects, creativity levels, and preferred strategies of emotional regulation was ex-amined, leading to the identification of distinct patterns in the perception of art therapy techniques among adults of different ages. Notably, substantial differences were observed in the perception of the "Hero's Journey" art therapy program and its applied techniques. The findings revealed that adults in the age group of 26-55 aimed to infuse deeper meaning into tasks and pursue "correct" execution, while younger respondents emphasized external aspects, aesthetics, and form. Moreover, younger participants encountered difficulties expressing negative emotions in their artwork, indicating a limited inclination toward such representations. The implications of these findings are discussed, and recom-mendations are provided for the application of art therapy techniques, considering the identified age-related characteristics.