“That’s what keeps me up at night”: A qualitative pilot study on how arts-based existential interventions could benefit children grappling with death

Objectives: This pilot study sought to explore the perceived value of Arts-Based Existential Interventions to support children regarding death. We were guided by the following research question: What are children’s perceptions of an arts-based existential intervention to navigate questions, feelings, and concerns pertaining to death? Data Description: In conducting this study, we hoped to contribute to the existing clinical child psychology literature by qualitatively investigating how a developmentally adapted, creative, and dialogical workshops benefitted––or not–– a group of children exploring existential concerns related to death. Our findings indicated that although some participants were initially apprehensive towards the workshops, most participants reported feeling positively impacted by receiving the opportunity to constructively explore, reflect on, and openly discuss the topic of death. With participants disclosing that they appreciated this opportunity, our findings suggest that arts-based existential interventions could be a meaningfully constructive method for supporting children in navigating the subject of death.