EFFECTIVENESS OF ART THERAPY ON SELF-ESTEEM IN CHILDREN WITH THALASSEMIA

Purpose: Art therapy plays a crucial role in determining the self-esteem of children with thalassemia. The study aimed to examine the effectiveness of art therapy in improving self-esteem in children with thalassemia. Design/Methodology/Approach: A quasi-experimental pre-and post-test research design was employed using purposive sampling. The study included 20 children aged 6-10 years diagnosed with beta thalassemia. The Self-Esteem Scale for School Children (Sadia and Mahmood, 2011) was administered before and after an eight-week structured art therapy intervention. Descriptive statistics were used for demographic analysis, and paired sample t-tests were conducted to assess pre-and post-intervention differences in self-esteem of children’s. Findings: The results demonstrated a significant improvement in self-esteem levels following art therapy. Statistical analysis revealed a substantial difference in pre-and post-intervention scores (p < 0.05). Prior research supports the efficacy of art therapy in enhancing self-esteem psychological well-being among children with chronic illnesses. Research Limitations/Implications: The study highlights the effectiveness of art therapy on self-esteem in children with thalassemia. Findings and implications highlight that the healthcare professionals should incorporate art therapy into routine pediatric care. Schools and community centers should offer structured art therapy programs to support children with chronic illnesses. Future research should explore long-term outcomes. Longitudinal approaches and other specific contextual factors and cultural influences must be considered in future studies. Originality/Value: This article contributes to the growing body of research on the effectiveness of art therapy in enhancing self-esteem among children with thalassemia. The findings emphasize the need for policymakers, clinicians, and educators to incorporate art therapy into comprehensive treatment plans for thalassemia patients.