Abstract

Objectives: This study aims to explore the effectiveness of art therapy as a non-pharmacological intervention for alleviating symptoms of depression among college students.The research seeks to assess how different forms of art therapy-such as painting, music, and expressive writing-can enhance emotional expression, improve mental well-being, and contribute to the overall reduction of depressive symptoms in this population. Methods:The study involved 120 college students aged 18-24 years who were identified with mild to moderate depressive symptoms through the Beck Depression Inventory-II (BDI-II).Participants were randomly assigned to either an intervention group (n = 60) receiving art therapy or a control group (n = 60) receiving standard psychological counseling.The intervention group participated in an 8-week art therapy program that included weekly 90-minute sessions facilitated by certified art therapists.Methods included visual arts (drawing and painting), music therapy, and guided expressive writing.Pre-and post-intervention assessments were conducted using the BDI-II and the Positive and Negative Affect Schedule (PANAS) to evaluate changes in depressive symptoms and emotional well-being.Results: Statistical analysis using paired t-tests and ANOVA revealed that the intervention group showed a significant reduction in BDI-II scores compared to the control group (p < 0.01).Additionally, participants in the art therapy group reported higher levels of positive affect and reduced negative affect as measured by PANAS.Qualitative feedback from participants highlighted improved self-expression, emotional release, and increased self-awareness as key benefits of the therapy.Conclusions: Art therapy demonstrates significant potential as an effective supplementary treatment for depression among college students.The integration of creative processes into therapeutic practices offers a supportive space for emotional exploration and psychological healing.Based on the research findings, it is suggested that colleges and universities incorporate art therapy into the mental health intervention system to complement traditional psychological counseling, especially for student groups who have difficulty expressing themselves or resist traditional counseling methods.Further research could expand sample diversity, lengthen follow-up periods, and examine the comparative efficacy of various art modalities and tailored intervention pathways.Such efforts would deepen the integration of art therapy in collegiate mental health support.