Canvas of Strength: A Mixed-Methods Pilot Study of a Community-Based Arts Intervention for Women Survivors of Domestic Violence in China

Abstract

Women survivors of domestic violence often experience persistent psychological distress, yet evidence supporting community-based arts interventions remains limited, particularly in mainland China. This mixed-methods pilot study evaluated the preliminary effectiveness of Canvas of Strength, a community-based arts intervention for women survivors of domestic violence in Liaoning Province, China. Sixteen participants were recruited from a community service center and allocated to intervention (n = 8) and control (n = 8) groups. Depression, anxiety, and self-esteem were assessed at baseline, post-intervention, and six-month follow-up using standardized measures, while semi-structured interviews explored participants’ experiences. The intervention group demonstrated significant improvements across all three psychological outcomes following the intervention, with these gains largely maintained at six-month follow-up, whereas no significant changes were observed in the control group. Qualitative findings revealed enhanced emotional expression, positive cognitive reframing, improved self-perception, and strengthened interpersonal and social engagement, providing contextual support for the quantitative findings. Together, these findings suggest that Canvas of Strength shows promise as a community-based arts intervention for improving the psychological well-being of women survivors of domestic violence. Given the pilot nature and small sample size of this study, further evaluation in adequately powered trials is warranted.