Demographic Determinants of Art Therapy Engagement for Mental Health: A Singaporean Perspective
DOI:
https://doi.org/10.14738/assrj.1209.19391Keywords:
Art therapy, mental health, demographic determinants, therapy engagement, Singapore, psychosocial factorsAbstract
Art therapy has gained international recognition as an effective psychotherapeutic approach that enhances emotional resilience, fosters self-expression, and supports mental well-being. In Singapore, despite public mental health awareness has improved through government initiatives, the actual uptake of non-traditional therapies such as art therapy remains limited. This study investigates the demographic determinants influencing engagement with art therapy, focusing on age, income, and education among Singapore residents. A quantitative design was employed, utilizing a structured online survey with 110 participants aged 18–75 years. Data were analyzed using Spearman’s rho correlation to assess relationships between demographic variables and art therapy uptake. Results revealed a statistically significant but weak negative correlation between age and art therapy engagement (rₛ = –0.216, p < .05), indicating that younger adults are more receptive to art therapy than older participants. Conversely, correlations between income (rₛ = 0.067, p = .490) and education (rₛ = 0.051, p = .599) with art therapy utilization were weak and non-significant. Subgroup analysis suggested nuanced patterns: females aged 47–60 demonstrated greater engagement than males in the same age group, and paradoxically, affluent, highly educated individuals reported lower utilization rates, possibly due to stigma, skepticism, or lack of insurance coverage. These findings highlight a generational divide in openness to expressive therapies and reveal a disconnect between socioeconomic advantage and actual service uptake in Singapore. The results underscore the importance of addressing cultural stigma, enhancing public education on art therapy, and improving accessibility through subsidies and insurance coverage. Policymakers, healthcare providers, and educators can leverage these insights to design targeted interventions, ensuring broader and more equitable engagement with art therapy across Singapore’s diverse demographic landscape.
References
Akbar, B. M. B., Prawesti, D. R. D., & Perbani, W. S. A. (2024). Big picture mental health of Generation Z in the world. Jurnal Kesehatan Komunitas Indonesia, 4(1), 1–20. https://doi.org/10.58545/jkki.v4i1.223
Beshai, S., Watson, L., Meadows, T., & Soucy, J. N. (2019). Perceptions of cognitive-behavioral therapy and antidepressant medication for depression after brief psychoeducation: Examining shifts in attitudes. Behavior Therapy, 50(5), 851–862. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.beth.2019.01.001
Bitonte, R. A., & Santo, M. D. (2014). Art therapy: An underutilized, yet effective tool. Mental Illness, 6(1), e5354. https://doi.org/10.4081/mi.2014.5354
Bruha, L., Spyridou, V., Forth, G., & Ougrin, D. (2018). Global child and adolescent mental health: Challenges and advances. London Journal of Primary Care, 10(4), 108–113. https://doi.org/10.1080/17571472.2018.1484332
Campbell, M., Decker, K. P., Kruk, K., & Deaver, S. P. (2016). Art therapy and cognitive processing therapy for combat-related PTSD: A randomized controlled trial. Art Therapy, 33(4), 169–177. https://doi.org/10.1080/07421656.2016.1226643
Carr, C., Medlicott, E., Hooper, R., Feng, Y., Mihaylova, B., & Priebe, S. (2023). Effectiveness of group arts therapies compared to group counselling for diagnostically heterogeneous psychiatric community patients: Study protocol for a randomized controlled trial in mental health services (the ERA study). Trials, 24(1), 72–32. https://doi.org/10.1186/s13063-023-07232-0
Chen, J., Xu, D., & Wu, X. (2020). Seeking help for mental health problems in urban China: The role of stigma, social networks, and socio-demographic factors. Social Psychiatry and Psychiatric Epidemiology, 55(12), 1531–1540. https://doi.org/10.1007/s00127-020-01915-5
Clement, S., Schauman, O., Graham, T., Maggioni, F., Evans-Lacko, S., Bezborodovs, N., Morgan, C., Rüsch, N., Brown, J. S. L., & Thornicroft, G. (2014). What is the impact of mental health-related stigma on help-seeking? A 265 systematic review of quantitative and qualitative studies. Psychological Medicine, 45(1), 11–27. https://doi.org/10.1017/s0033291714000129
Elkins, D. E., & Deaver, S. P. (2013). American Art Therapy Association, Inc.: 2011 membership survey report. Art Therapy, 30(1), 36–41. https://doi.org/10.1080/07421656.2013.757512
Galassi, F., Merizzi, A., D’Amen, B., & Santini, S. (2022). Creativity and art therapies to promote healthy aging: A scoping review. Frontiers in Psychology, 13, 906191. https://doi.org/10.3389/fpsyg.2022.906191
Goh, S. N. (2011). Post-acute care of the elderly in Singapore: What factors influence use of services? Asia Pacific Journal of Social Work and Development, 21(1), 31–44. https://doi.org/10.1080/21650993.2011.9756095
Gulbe, E., Ozola, A., Vītola, B., Akmane, E., Pacek, J., & Mārtinsone, K. (2025). Exploring nature-based art therapy: A scoping review. Frontiers in Psychology, 16, 1522629. https://doi.org/10.3389/fpsyg.2025.1522629
Gulliver, A., Griffiths, K. M., & Christensen, H. (2010). Perceived barriers and facilitators to mental health helpseeking in young people: A systematic review. BMC Psychiatry, 10, 113. https://doi.org/10.1186/1471-244X-10-
H., K. N. (2025). The role of art therapy in healing mental health issues. Newport International Journal of Research in Medical Sciences, 6(1), 37–45. https://doi.org/10.59298/nijrms/2025/6.1.374100
Hiang, K. S., Fong, C., & Tripathi, S. (2025a). Art therapy in mental health treatment: A narrative review of efficacy and application in developed countries. Psychology, 16(2), 202–213. https://doi.org/10.4236/psych.2025.162012
Hiang, K. S., Fong, C., & Tripathi, S. (2025b). The role of art therapy in mental health: A quantitative study of public perception in Singapore. Open Journal of Social Sciences, 13(5), 523–537. https://doi.org/10.4236/jss.2025.135029
Hu, J., Zhang, J., Hu, L., Yu, H., & Xu, J. (2021). Art therapy: A complementary treatment for mental disorders. Frontiers in Psychology, 12, 686005. https://doi.org/10.3389/fpsyg.2021.686005
Huang, K. (2021). Toward an indigenization process: Art therapy practice in the Chinese cultural context. Art Therapy, 39(1), 5–12. https://doi.org/10.1080/07421656.2021.1919007
Hwang, S., Byun, H., & Yi, E.-S. (2025). Understanding older adults’ intention to adopt digital leisure services: The role of psychosocial factors and AI-based prediction models. Healthcare, 13(7), 785. https://doi.org/10.3390/healthcare13070785
Kee, C. (2004). Cultural features as advantageous to therapy: A Singaporean perspective. Journal of Systemic Therapies, 23(4), 67–78. https://doi.org/10.1521/jsyt.23.4.67.57836
Khanahmadi, M. (2020). Ethical codes and psychotherapy. International Journal of Ethics & Society, 1(4), 1–7. http://ijethics.com/article-1-62-en.html
Kua, E., & Rathi, M. (2019).Mental Health Care in Singapore: Current and Future Challenges. Taiwanese Journal of Psychiatry 33(1):p 6-12, Jan–Mar 2019. https://doi.org/10.4103/tpsy.tpsy_2_19
Lin, K., & Cheung, F. M. (1999). Mental health issues for Asian Americans. Psychiatric Services, 50(6), 774–780. https://doi.org/10.1176/ps.50.6.774
Lith, T. V., & Ettenberger, M. (2023). Arts-based therapies, practices, and interventions in health. BMC Complementary Medicine and Therapies, 23(1), 177–189. https://doi.org/10.1186/s12906-023-04177-4
Miller, G. G. (2016). Art therapy in a community clinic waiting room: Examining challenges and effectiveness. Canadian Art Therapy Association Journal, 29(1), 38–46. https://doi.org/10.1080/08322473.2016.1184365
Mirabella, G. (2015). Is art therapy a reliable tool for rehabilitating people suffering from brain/mental diseases? The Journal of Alternative and Complementary Medicine, 21(4), 196–199. https://doi.org/10.1089/acm.2014.0374
Ng, T. P., Fones, C., & Kua, E. H. (2003). Preference, need and utilization of mental health services: Singapore National Mental Health Survey. Australian & New Zealand Journal of Psychiatry, 37(5), 613–619. https://doi.org/10.1046/j.1440-1614.2003.01233.x 266
Omiyrga, S. (2025). Mental healthcare disparities in low-income U.S. populations: Barriers, policy challenges, and intervention strategies. (2025). International Journal of Research Publication and Reviews, 6(3), 2277–2290. https://doi.org/10.55248/gengpi.6.0325.1186
Park, K., & Hong, E.-J. (2010). A study on the perception of art therapy among mental health professionals in Korea. The Arts in Psychotherapy, 37(4), 335–342. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.aip.2010.07.004
Regev, D., & Cohen-Yatziv, L. (2018). Effectiveness of art therapy with adult clients in 2018—What progress has been made? Frontiers in Psychology, 9, 1531. https://doi.org/10.3389/fpsyg.2018.01531
Riley, S. (2001). Art therapy with adolescents. Western Journal of Medicine, 175(1), 54–57. https://doi.org/10.1136/ewjm.175.1.54
Schofield, M. J., & Khan, A. (2008). Australian women who seek counselling: Psychosocial, health behaviour, and demographic profile. Counselling and Psychotherapy Research, 8(1), 12–21. https://doi.org/10.1080/14733140801889097
Shukla, A., Choudhari, S. G., Gaidhane, A., & Zahiruddin, Q. S. (2022). Role of art therapy in the promotion of mental health: A critical review. Cureus, 14(8), e28026. https://doi.org/10.7759/cureus.28026
Smriti, D., Ambulkar, S., Meng, Q., Kaimal, G., Ramotar, K., Park, S. Y., & Huh-Yoo, J. (2021). Creative arts therapies for the mental health of emerging adults: A systematic review. The Arts in Psychotherapy, 77, 101861. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.aip.2021.101861
Singapore Department of Statistics. (2022). Census of Population 2020 statistical release. https://www.singstat.gov.sg/publications/reference/ebook
Singapore Mental Health Study. (2016). Institute of Mental Health (IMH). https://www.imh.com.sg/Research/Research-Programmes/Pages/Singapore-Mental-Health-Study-SMHS-2016.aspx
Slayton, S. C., D’Archer, J., & Kaplan, F. (2010). Outcome studies on the efficacy of art therapy: A review of findings. Art Therapy, 27(3), 108–118. https://doi.org/10.1080/07421656.2010.10129660
Tan, M. K. B., Tan, C. M., Tan, S. G., Yoong, J., & Gibbons, B. (2021). Connecting the dots: The state of arts and health in Singapore. Arts & Health, 15(2), 119–134. https://doi.org/10.1080/17533015.2021.2005643
Tonsing, K. N. (2017). A review of mental health literacy in Singapore. Social Work in Health Care, 57(1), 27–47. https://doi.org/10.1080/00981389.2017.1383335
Wang, P. S., Lane, M., Olfson, M., Pincus, H. A., Wells, K. B., & Kessler, R. C. (2005). Twelve-month use of mental health services in the United States: Results from the National Comorbidity Survey Replication. Archives of General Psychiatry, 62(6), 629–640. https://doi.org/10.1001/archpsyc.62.6.629
World Health Organization. (2012). Mental health: Strengthening our response (Fact sheet No. 220). https://www.who.int/news-room/fact-sheets/detail/mental-health-strengthening-our-response
Downloads
Published
How to Cite
Issue
Section
License
Copyright (c) 2025 Koh Sok Hiang, Christopher Fong, Shilpi Tripathi
This work is licensed under a Creative Commons Attribution 4.0 International License.
