26isfam031 10.3205/26isfam031 urn:nbn:de:0183-26isfam0314 Meeting Abstract Maus-Hermes Maus-Hermes Susanne S

Department of Psychology and Psychotherapy, Witten/Herdecke University

author Thomas Thomas Ostermann O

Department of Psychology and Psychotherapy, Witten/Herdecke University

author German Medical Science GMS Publishing House

Düsseldorf

610 20260612 engl This is an Open Access article distributed under the terms of the Creative Commons Attribution 4.0 License. Dieser Artikel ist ein Open-Access-Artikel und steht unter den Lizenzbedingungen der Creative Commons Attribution 4.0 License (Namensnennung). M0652 031 International Society for Arts and Medicine The Healing Arts – Forging Alliances of Arts & Medicine Presentation Abstracts Berlin 20260618 20260620 26isfam031 TextBackground: Child and youth welfare (CYW) fulfils important social tasks. Work in CYW services is associated with stress and other strain factors, and employees in this field form one of the occupational groups with the highest levels of health risk and psychological strain. Evidence-based, low-threshold, and practical interventions remain scarce. This study evaluates a brief painting-based art-therapeutic and systemic intervention (bopain.t), in which art-therapeutic methods are deliberately used as coaching tools. Objective: We hypothesized that the intervention reduces work-related strain, improves affective states, and produces immediate post-session effects on stress and mood. Methods: In a randomized crossover design, n = 33 professionals (mean age: 38.6 ±11.0 years; n=31 female) completed two six-week phases (intervention/control) with a wash-out period in between. Work-related strain, affective states, and short-term stress indicators were assessed at multiple time points. Results: Work-related strain decreased significantly during the intervention: In particular, nervousness (F = 4.151, p = .017, η² = .026) and conflicts (F = 6.192, p = .002, η² = .038) decreased, while only a small effect for workload decreased was observed. Negative mood and sadness decreased, while positive mood slightly increased. The strongest changes occurred immediately after the art-based units, with consistent improvements in stress reduction, emotional tension, and momentary mood. Conclusion: Art-therapeutic procedures can serve as effective instruments within systemic coaching. The intervention is feasible, low-threshold, and provides immediate emotional relief for professionals in child and youth services. Further research with larger samples and extended follow-up phases is recommended. 0 0 0 0