Effectiveness of family-centered art therapy on anxiety sensitivity, inefficient attitudes and coping of students with generalized anxiety disorder

The present study was conducted to determine the effectiveness of family-centered art therapy on anxiety sensitivity, inefficient attitudes and coping of students with Generalized Anxiety Disorder. The research method was quasi-experimental with pretest, posttest and control group design. The statistical population included 12-16 years old students with Generalized Anxiety Disorder in academic year 2020 in Semnan City, According to the centers, this number was equal to 181 students. Among them, 30 people were selected by purposive sampling method who had the necessary characteristics based on the test of Generalized Anxiety Disorder and clinical interview, and then were randomly assigned to the experimental and control groups (15 people in each group).The research instruments included Anxiety Sensitivity Questionnaire- revised (ASI-R), Inefficient Attitudes Scale (IAS) and Bell's Adjustment Inventory (BAI), (1961). Data analysis was done via SPSS23 software through MANCOVA method. The results of data analysis showed that family-centered art therapy has a significant effect on anxiety sensitivity (P=0.039), inefficient attitudes (P<0.001) and coping (P<0.001) of students with Generalized Anxiety Disorder. Family-centered art therapy training had a significant effect on anxiety sensitivity, inefficient attitudes and coping of students with Generalized Anxiety Disorder. Considering that strengthening these skills leads to improving the psychological performance of adolescents, using family-centered art therapy as an effective method is especially important.