The effect of online administration of art therapy on the depression, anxiety and psychological resilliance levels of individuals with spina bifida diagnosis

Objective: This study has been conducted aiming to examining the effect of online administration of art therapy on the depression, anxiety, and psychological resilience levels of individuals with Spina Bifida diagnosis. Method and Material: In the study, pretest, posttest, three-month follow up and semi-experimental method have been used. The population of the study consists of individuals with Spina Bifida (N: 1050) at the age of 18-65, who are members of Turkey Spina Bifida Association. The study was conducted online on between 09.08.2921 and 23.02.2022 to the individuals with SB at the age of 18-65, who are members of TSBA or who have learned from the association. 38 volunteer individuals with SB (test:18, control:20) were included in the sampling of the study. While the test group was made to carry out art therapy applications, the control group wasn't made to perform any application. Data were collected by using personal information form, Beck Anxiety Scale, Beck Depression Scale, Short Psychological Resilience Scale. In the analysis of data, chi-square test, independent samplet test, paired two samples t test, Friedman test and ANOVA for repeated measures were used. Findings: In the study, it has been found that there is no statistically significant difference in test group individuals with SB's pretest, posttest, follow-up and psychological resilience mean scores from the control group individuals with SB ( p= 0.160). It has been found that there is a statistically significant difference in the test group's in-group Short Psychological Resilience scale between pretest measure score average (18.72 ± 5.45) and posttest measure score average (20.33 ± 4.81) and score average obtained after three-month follow-up (19.55±4.93) (p=0.045). It has been found that there is no statistically significant difference in the test group individuals with SB's pretest, posttest, follow-up anxiety score averages from the control group individuals with SB ( p=0.622). It has been found that there is no statistically significant difference in the test group individuals with SB's pretest, posttest, follow-up depression score averages from the control group individuals with SB ( p=0.80). It has been found that there is a statistically significant difference between the test group's in-group Beck Depression Scale pretest measure average (13.06±12.01), and posttest measure score average (8.72±9.03) and score average obtained after three-month follow-up (9.17 ± 8.99) (p= 0.36). Conclusion: In this study, it has been concluded that the online art therapy application given to individuals with Spina Bifida increases their psychological resilience scores, their depression scores decreased, but does not change their anxiety level. It has been suggested by the Ministry of Health to create institutional structures where online art therapy will be applied to individuals with Spina Bifida within the scope of community mental health services, and thus to plan group or individual online art therapy practice at regular intervals with the participation of Spina Bifida Associations.