Journal of Counseling and Educational Research
Vol. 1 No. 3 (2025): Journal of Counseling and Educational Research

Experience of Working Women in Managing Stress During Pandemic Using Expressive Art Therapy

Munusamy, Kasturi Bai (Unknown)
Rahman, Mohd Nazri Abdul (Unknown)
Najiha, Amira (Unknown)



Article Info

Publish Date
30 Apr 2025

Abstract

The COVID-19 pandemic has significantly exacerbated stress levels, particularly among working women in Malaysia, who faced increased domestic and professional responsibilities during the crisis. This study explores the effectiveness of Expressive Art Therapy in managing pandemic-induced stress among this demographic. Through qualitative research involving in-depth interviews with 30 participants, the study investigates how Expressive Art Therapy has been utilized to alleviate emotional and psychological strain. The findings reveal that engaging in activities such as painting, drawing, and dance allows these women to articulate emotions nonverbally, fostering a therapeutic release and promoting mental health resilience. This therapeutic approach has proven beneficial in enhancing emotional well-being, offering an innovative outlet for stress management, and improving overall life satisfaction among participants. The research underscores the potential of Expressive Art Therapy to serve as a valuable tool in occupational stress management strategies, particularly in times of crisis. However, the study acknowledges limitations, including the sample size and the specific focus on women who have opted for this therapy, potentially skewing broader applicability. Future research is recommended to explore Expressive Art Therapy's efficacy in broader demographic settings and to examine its long-term psychological benefits. This study highlights the need for policy enhancements to integrate creative therapies into workplace mental health programs, thus supporting gender-specific mental health needs during unprecedented times.

Copyrights © 2025






Journal Info

Abbrev

jcerch

Publisher

Subject

Humanities Economics, Econometrics & Finance Education Environmental Science Social Sciences

Description

Journal of Counseling and Educational Research (JCERCH) is a peer-reviewed and open-access journal that contains issues related to counseling and education. The aim of this journal is to publish articles related to diverse fields of counseling, education, psychology, mental health, social sciences, ...