<![CDATA[Children in social care institutions often face limited caregiving, making them vulnerable to difficulties in regulating emotions, which can lead to aggression or social withdrawal. These challenges affect interpersonal relationships and reduce the quality of social interactions. This study aimed to evaluate the effectiveness of Cognitive Behavioral Art Therapy (CBAT) in enhancing emotional regulation. A quasi-experimental one-group pretest–posttest design was employed with 14 participants from Panti Sosial Asuhan Anak X. Participants were screened using the Buss-Perry Aggression Questionnaire (BPAQ) and the Draw-A-Person Test (DAP). Data were collected using the Emotion Regulation Questionnaire for Children and Adolescents (ERQ-CA), direct observation, and analysis of children's artwork. Statistical analysis using the Wilcoxon Signed Rank Test revealed a significant difference between pretest and posttest scores. Cognitive Reappraisal (CR) scores increased from 18.29 to 27.71 (Z =−3.296, p = 0.001), indicating enhanced cognitive restructuring skills. In contrast, Expressive Suppression (ES) scores decreased from 14.64 to 11.21 (Z= −2.984, p= 0.003), reflecting reduced maladaptive emotional suppression. Positive behavioral changes were also observed, including increased emotional understanding, improved ability to articulate emotions, and the emergence of pro-social behaviors such as sharing, collaboration, and active participation in group activities. Therefore, CBAT is an effective intervention to support children in social care in developing emotional regulation and social skills, with practical implications for caregivers and social institutions to integrate this method into long-term developmental programs.]]>
