Every year, millions of children worldwide are exposed to the consequences of crises and, as one of the most vulnerable groups, experience greater psychological and emotional harm than other populations. This issue highlights the necessity of targeted and professional interventions during the post-crisis period. In recent decades, several developed countries have employed creative art-based programs in the education and empowerment of children affected by crises, yielding promising outcomes.

Drawing upon Tedeschi and Calhoun’s theory of post-traumatic growth, this study comparatively analyzes the role of art-based programs in promoting psychological growth and supporting children affected by crises in the United States, Australia, and Iran. The main research question concerns the extent to which art-based programs implemented in these countries correspond with the components of post-traumatic growth, including resilience, problem-solving, and emotional regulation. The research adopts a qualitative comparative methodology, and data were collected through the analysis of selected art projects implemented in crisis contexts.

The findings indicate that the primary differences among countries lie in the manner in which these programs are integrated with psychological and institutional frameworks. In the United States and Australia, art-based programs have been implemented as structured, interdisciplinary interventions accompanied by continuous evaluation, and have contributed to enhancing specific components, including meaning reconstruction, increased feelings of safety, and strengthened coping skills. In contrast, in Iran, due to the absence of a coherent theoretical and institutional framework, such interventions have largely remained sporadic, lacking continuity and systematic evaluation mechanisms. Consequently, their effects have been confined mainly to short-term activities. Therefore, achieving post-traumatic growth among children requires a systematic integration of art, crisis psychology, and cultural policy making