Effects of Art Therapy on Quality of Life and Social Functioning in Individuals With Schizophrenia

Abstract

PURPOSE: To investigate the effect of art therapy on quality of life and social functioning of individuals with schizophrenia receiving community mental health services. METHOD: A quasi-experimental study design was used to assess the effects of art therapy on quality of life and social functioning. The study included 14 participants with schizophrenia, seven assigned to the intervention group and seven to the control group. The intervention group participated in weekly art therapy sessions encompassing various artistic modalities over 16 weeks. Pre-and post-test measurements of quality of life and social functioning scales were administered to both groups. RESULTS: A significant increase was noted in total scores of quality of life and social functioning scales for the intervention group between pre-and post-test. No significant differences were observed within the control group. CONCLUSION: The current study suggests that art therapy promotes quality of life and social functioning of individuals with schizophrenia. Art therapy may be suggested as a psychiatric rehabilitation approach; however, more evidence-based studies are needed for this intervention to be integrated into routine clinical treatment. © 2025 Elsevier B.V., All rights reserved.