Arts-Based Trauma-Informed Interventions and Psychological Well-being of Institutionalized Children: A Longitudinal Study from India

Abstract

Spanning three years (2021-2024), the Vanam Vasapadum ("Sky is Ours") initiative examined the effects of arts-based, trauma-informed social-emotional learning on the psychological well-being of children aged 11-17 years across 18 childcare institutions in Tamil Nadu, India. While the intervention was delivered across all 18 institutions, longitudinal research data were collected from a subset of 10, where consistent participant follow-up and administrative approvals were available. Using a quasi-experimental mixed-methods design, the study drew quantitative data from 205 children (ages 13-17) via the Rosenberg Self-Esteem Scale and Ryff's Scale of Psychological Well-being, and qualitative insights from 72 children and 27 staff members through arts-based elicitation and in-depth interviews. The intervention comprised thrice-weekly sessions focusing on visual arts, performing arts, and art-integrated well-being activities tailored to specific developmental age groups. Quantitative analysis demonstrated significant improvements in self-esteem parameters, with 79% of participants achieving high self-esteem scores by Year 3, compared to only 2% at baseline, and 56.59% of children exhibiting very good psychological well-being measures by the intervention's conclusion. Qualitative findings revealed that children associated emotional safety with supportive relationships and opportunities for self-expression, with participants reporting enhanced emotional regulation capabilities, increased confidence, and improved resilience, while institutional staff observed reductions in behavioral problems, enhanced creative expression, and improved social interaction skills. The longitudinal evidence indicates substantial positive impacts of arts-based, trauma-informed approaches on psychological well-being among vulnerable children, with the intervention's efficacy appearing linked to its holistic design addressing multiple developmental dimensions through creative expression. The "Vanam Vasapadum" project presents compelling evidence supporting arts-based trauma-informed interventions for improving mental health outcomes in institutionalized children, with the marked improvements suggesting such approaches could serve as valuable components in mental health promotion strategies for the adolescent population in vulnerable circumstances.