Articles
DOI DOI: 10.62441/actainnovations.v63i.1114

FINGER-PAINTING ART THERAPY WITH GROWTH-MINDSET PROMPTS FOR SCREENED OCCUPATIONAL ANXIETY AND WELL-BEING IN INDONESIAN DIGITAL WORKPLACES: A RANDOMIZED CONTROLLED TRIAL PROTOCOL

Robertus Heru Setyo Suhartono1, Mulya Virgonita I Winta 2, Hardhani Widiastuti1, Margaretha Maria Shinta Pratiwi 2
  1. 1 Faculty of Psychology, Universitas Semarang, Semarang, Indonesia.
  2. 2 Faculty of Psychology, Universitas Semarang, Semarang, Indonesia.

Abstract

Digital workplaces in Indonesia intensify cognitive load, notification-driven interruption, and after-hours availability. These conditions elevate anxiety symptoms and erode well-being without necessarily meeting diagnostic thresholds for an anxiety disorder. World Health Organization guidance distinguishes organizational prevention, indicated support for workers in distress, and specialist clinical care. Finger-painting art therapy (AT) is a low-cost indicated practice that uses a fluid, kinesthetic medium rather than pencil drawing. Growth-mindset (GM) language may help convert short-term relief into more durable appraisals of work in progress. Because the two ingredients are delivered together, this trial tests a pragmatic package, not the isolated causal effect of paint or of GM language. Parallel-group randomized controlled trial (1:1) among employees in remote or hybrid digital work in Indonesia. Planned N = 240 employees with GAD-7 ≥ 8 (screened occupational anxiety symptoms, not a clinical diagnosis) will be randomized to (i) eight weekly 60-minute group sessions of finger-painting AT with structured GM micro-prompts, or (ii) an active control of equal contact time and equal between-session practice time (psychoeducation and digital well-being skills, without finger painting, drawing, or GM language). Assessments occur at baseline (T0), immediately post-intervention (T1), and eight-week follow-up (T2). The lead primary outcome is GAD-7 at T2 (Group × Time). WHO-5 at T2, GAD-7 at T1, and WHO-5 at T1 are key secondaries under gatekeeping. Registered secondary analyses include longitudinal mediation via change in work-related GM (process, not ingredient isolation) and moderation by baseline workplace telepressure. Minimal clinically important difference (MCID) and harm signals will be reported alongside p-values. The IAM-Host implementation model (Authorize, Route, Deliver, Safeguard, Decide) specifies how institutions can host the package without converting mental health into a performance metric. Enrolment will not begin until ethics approval and prospective registration are in place. The design estimates package effectiveness against an attention-matched control. It will not experimentally separate AT from GM; a subsequent factorial trial is required if those ingredients must be isolated. A later results paper must cite this protocol and the locked SAP, must not import numbers from any other sample, and must not reuse magister thesis SPSS output (N = 55; TAS-G).

How to Cite

Suhartono, R. H. S., Winta , M. V. I., Widiastuti, H., & Pratiwi , M. M. S. (2026). FINGER-PAINTING ART THERAPY WITH GROWTH-MINDSET PROMPTS FOR SCREENED OCCUPATIONAL ANXIETY AND WELL-BEING IN INDONESIAN DIGITAL WORKPLACES: A RANDOMIZED CONTROLLED TRIAL PROTOCOL. ACTA INNOVATIONS, 63, 472–482. https://doi.org/10.62441/actainnovations.v63i.1114
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