How do Arab Women in Israel Evaluate the Impact of Art Therapy on Their Coping with Daily Life Stress

Abstract

The present study investigates how Arab women in Israel interpret the potential effectiveness of art therapy for managing day-to-day stress, both of which are complicated issues culturally, socially, and psychologically. This study takes a close look at the sources of daily stress for Arab women living in Israel and their effects, assesses coping mechanisms, and analyses the perceived therapeutic benefit of art-based therapy interventions. In a qualitative study, the study gained perspective from 40 Arab women who experienced art therapy in workshops and from 10 professional art therapists. The study identified the various sources of stress experienced by Arab women as stemming from socio-economic pressure, family and extended family obligations, and traditional gender roles, and how the art therapy workshops provided a culturally appropriate, non-verbal space for emotional healing and resilience. In conclusion, to be practically impactful, our examination suggests that art therapy as a practice is a meaningful and empowers a person to put themselves first and could promote overall mental wellbeing if the approach is culturally relevant to the person. In light of this research, further culturally relevant art therapy programs are recommended to be designed and implemented in Arab communities and training professionals working with Arab women, with social and practical implications for mental health policy- and service-delivery implementation in multicultural societies.