Dorit Segal-Engelchin & Orly Sarid
Ben-Gurion University of the Negev, Israel
Title: Art-based intervention effectiveness on stress among nepalese people indirectly exposed to the Nepal earthquake
Biography
Biography: Dorit Segal-Engelchin & Orly Sarid
Abstract
Statement of the Problem: Earthquakes can lead to short and long-term psychological consequences, which negatively affect survivors' quality of life. To date, the clear majority of earthquake trauma related studies focus on people directly exposed to the event. The current study focused on an indirectly-exposed group.
Aim: The aim of this study was to examine the effectiveness of a single-session art-based intervention to reduce stress among Nepalese students, who were enrolled in a special program in Israel during the April 2015 Nepal earthquake.
Methodology: The intervention included drawing pictures that were later shared in small groups related to three topics: (1) emotions and thoughts related to the earthquake; (2) personal and collective resources that may help them cope with the earthquake outcomes upon their return to Nepal; and, (3) integration of the stressful image and the resource picture. To examine the intervention effect, the Subjective Units of Distress (SUDs) values of 116 Nepalese students were measured using a pre-post design.
Findings: The study results indicate that students' initial high distress levels significantly decreased on completion of the intervention.
Conclusion & Significance: The study results show the efficacy of an easily implemented art-based tool for stress reduction among individuals indirectly exposed to disaster conditions. Implications for future studies and for interventions designed for indirect victims of additional disasters will be discussed