Examining the Effects of Art Therapy on Reoccurring Tobacco Use in a Taiwanese Youth Population: A Mixed-Method Study

ABSTRACT

Background: Cigarette smoking is a primary risk factor affecting mental and physical health worldwide. Many chronic diseases are closely related to smoking. Adolescents in Taiwan are increasingly using tobacco, especially in rural areas. Objectives: This research project used a mixed-method study to examine the effects of art therapy on smoking cessation in rural Taiwanese youth smokers. Methods: Participants from years 10–11, were drawn from three senior high schools in Taiwan. The experimental group participated in a six-week smoking cessation intervention using art therapy. The comparison group participated in typical courses on smoking cessation. Quantitative measures included need for smoking, nicotine dependence, self-esteem, self-efficacy, and smoking cessation status. Qualitative analysis was based on phenomenology. Results: A total of 66 students (n = 40 experimental group; n = 26 comparison group) were the subjects of quantitative analysis. No differences were noted in baseline characteristics of groups. Generalized estimating equation analyses suggested significant between-group differences in change from pre- to follow-up test scores in the “social domain” (B = −5.12, p < 0.05). Qualitative data (n = 17 experimental group; n = 10 control group) suggested three domains: effects of art therapy on smoking prevention, benefits of art therapy on other outcome measures, and comparison between art therapy and traditional smoking cessation programs. Conclusions/importance: The findings of this study can potentially contribute significantly to existing knowledge regarding the perceptions of art therapy on reoccurring tobacco use in Taiwanese youth.

KEYWORDS:

• Art therapy
• smoking cessation
• mixed-method
• adolescent
• phenomenology
• Adolescents' Need for Smoking Scale (ANSS)

Acknowledgments

The authors would like to thank all study participants. The study was supported by grants from the Chiayi County Health Bureau (GZRP6E0041) and the Chang Gung Medical Foundation (CMRPF6B0072).

Declaration of interest

The authors report no conflicts of interest.

Additional information

Funding

Chiayi County Health Bureau(GZRP6E0041), The Chang Gung Medical Foundation(CMRPF6B0072)