Wan, Adrian H. Y.Adrian H. Y.WanDr. CHAN Kar-pui, CaitlinCaitlinDr. CHAN Kar-puiHo, Rainbow T. H.Rainbow T. H.Ho2025-09-102025-09-102023Wan, A. H. Y., Chan, C. K. P., & Ho, R. T. H. (2023). Cultivating self-compassion through expressive arts-based Intervention amidst the pandemic: Can we do It online, too?. In Annals of Behavioral Medicin (Ed.). 2023 ABM annual meeting abstracts supplement. 44th Annual Meeting & Scientific Sessions of the Society of Behavioral Medicine, Phoenix, AZ (pp. 313). Oxford University Press.0883-66121532-4796http://hdl.handle.net/20.500.11861/25112Background: The pandemic has imposed threat on psychosocial wellbeing of the citizens around the world. The global prevalence of anxiety, depression, and other mental health conditions had increased by 25% in the first year of the COVID-19 outbreak. Concerns about potential increases in mental health conditions had prompted responses to deploy mental wellness and psychosocial support services as part of the multidisciplinary response plan in 90% of countries worldwide. This study attempted to contrast the comparative effectiveness of an Expressive Arts-based Self-Compassion program delivered face-to-face and one that is delivered online.<br> Methodology: A 2-arm, randomized controlled study design was adopted to compare the comparative effectiveness of a professional-led, Expressive Artsbased Self-Compassion Program on self compassion, mindfulness qualities, resilience, as well as positive and negative affect of community-dwelling, healthy individuals in Hong Kong during the pandemic period 2021-2022. Participants were surveyed once at baseline (T0) and at post-intervention (T1) as they participated in a 6-week program curated by an Expressive Arts Therapist and a Certified Mindful Self-Compassion Teacher. Focus group interviews were also conducted for a subset of participants to attain fine-grained information related to their personal experience in the program.<br> Results: For evaluating the effectiveness of the online (N = 21) and face-to-face (N= 19) program, repeated measures ANCOVA controlling for socio-demographics and Bonferroni-adjusted post-hoc tests were conducted to determine whether there were time and time x group effects in outcomes over time. All time x group effect for the outcome measures was not significant, suggesting that participants in both groups did not differ in the outcomes across pre- and postprogram. However findings of the present study showed statistically significant time effect for self-kindness, F(1,32) = 6.90, p = .01, self-judgement, F(1,32) =4.33, p = .05, isolation, F(1,32) = 6.34, p = .02, mindfulness, F(1,32) = 4.61, p =.04, self-compassionate tendency, F(1,32) = 7.14, p = .01, non-compassionate tendency, F(1,32) = 6.01, p = .02, the describing subscale, F(1,32) = 7.22, p =.01, negative affect, F(1,32) = 4.72, p = .04, as well as ego-resilience, F(1,32) = 5.46, p = .03. Focus group interviews (N = 11) showed that both groups enjoyed the connection they have with each other at times of heightened needs of social distancing; as well as the use of art-based activities to foster mindful awareness and self-compassion.<br> Conclusions: Findings suggested that both the online program and the face-to-face program was efficacious in improving overall self-compassion, cultivating awareness to internal experiences, as well as in alleviating negative affect and self-coldness attitude of healthy, community-dwelling adults amidst of the pandemic.enConference Paper10.1093/abm/kaad011