CanvasHero: The role of artificial intelligence in cultivating resilience among children and youth using the 6-part story method in mass war trauma
Background: The potential of Generative Artificial Intelligence (GenAI) to promote mental health is of great interest. Specifically, there is growing interest in integrating applied GenAI into psychotherapy or into the teacher/parent-child relationship. This paper describes CanvasHero, a GenAI tool...
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| Format: | Article |
| Language: | English |
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Elsevier
2025-08-01
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| Series: | Computers in Human Behavior: Artificial Humans |
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| Online Access: | http://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/pii/S2949882125000805 |
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| author | Yuval Haber Inbar Levkovich Iftach Tzafrir Karny Gigi Dror Yinon Dorit Hadar Shoval Zohar Elyoseph |
| author_facet | Yuval Haber Inbar Levkovich Iftach Tzafrir Karny Gigi Dror Yinon Dorit Hadar Shoval Zohar Elyoseph |
| author_sort | Yuval Haber |
| collection | DOAJ |
| description | Background: The potential of Generative Artificial Intelligence (GenAI) to promote mental health is of great interest. Specifically, there is growing interest in integrating applied GenAI into psychotherapy or into the teacher/parent-child relationship. This paper describes CanvasHero, a GenAI tool that was developed following the devastating attacks on Israel in October 2023. It aims to promote resilience in children and adolescents who were evacuated from their homes due to the war. CanvasHero serves as a proof of concept for integrating GenAI as an additional element that can enrich and deepen interpersonal interaction. Tool description: CanvasHero utilizes the BASIC Ph model and 6-Part Story Method for assessing and bolstering coping skills, aided by the interactive scaffolding and synthetic abilities of the GenAI. Key stages comprise (1) collaborative narrative construction between child, meaningful adult, and the GAI; (2) analysis of resilience themes; and (3) generative visualization representing the child's story through DALL-E's imaging capabilities. Implementation protocol: The CanvasHero is optimally designed for children ages 7–16 under adult supervision, with the HEART Checklist developed to structure this process. Sessions typically occur remotely via videoconference, or in person. Intended outcomes: CanvasHero aims to create a playful space for processing stress and trauma, identifies resilience resources, and strengthens these capabilities. At the same time, risks in GenAI integration are mitigated via human oversight and an ethics-focused design. Conclusion: CanvasHero exemplifies a GenAI application that can assist during wartime, serving as a psycho-educational mediator and facilitating an imaginative and playful space between children and meaningful adults. Further studies are required to evaluate effectiveness and potential risks. |
| format | Article |
| id | doaj-art-7eaa2e4196894935b2dfb4937d321774 |
| institution | Kabale University |
| issn | 2949-8821 |
| language | English |
| publishDate | 2025-08-01 |
| publisher | Elsevier |
| record_format | Article |
| series | Computers in Human Behavior: Artificial Humans |
| spelling | doaj-art-7eaa2e4196894935b2dfb4937d3217742025-08-20T05:08:31ZengElsevierComputers in Human Behavior: Artificial Humans2949-88212025-08-01510019610.1016/j.chbah.2025.100196CanvasHero: The role of artificial intelligence in cultivating resilience among children and youth using the 6-part story method in mass war traumaYuval Haber0Inbar Levkovich1Iftach Tzafrir2Karny Gigi3Dror Yinon4Dorit Hadar Shoval5Zohar Elyoseph6The PhD Program of Hermeneutics & Cultural Studies, Bar-Ilan University, IsraelThe “Artificial Third” Research Team, Israel; Faculty of Education, Tel Hai College, Upper Galilee, IsraelThe “Artificial Third” Research Team, IsraelThe “Artificial Third” Research Team, IsraelThe PhD Program of Hermeneutics & Cultural Studies, Bar-Ilan University, IsraelThe “Artificial Third” Research Team, Israel; Psychology Department, Tel Hai College, Upper Galilee, IsraelThe “Artificial Third” Research Team, Israel; School of Therapy, Counselling and Human Development, The Faculty of Education, The University of Haifa, Israel; Corresponding author.School of Therapy, Counselling and Human Development, The Faculty Of Education, The University of Haifa, Israel.Background: The potential of Generative Artificial Intelligence (GenAI) to promote mental health is of great interest. Specifically, there is growing interest in integrating applied GenAI into psychotherapy or into the teacher/parent-child relationship. This paper describes CanvasHero, a GenAI tool that was developed following the devastating attacks on Israel in October 2023. It aims to promote resilience in children and adolescents who were evacuated from their homes due to the war. CanvasHero serves as a proof of concept for integrating GenAI as an additional element that can enrich and deepen interpersonal interaction. Tool description: CanvasHero utilizes the BASIC Ph model and 6-Part Story Method for assessing and bolstering coping skills, aided by the interactive scaffolding and synthetic abilities of the GenAI. Key stages comprise (1) collaborative narrative construction between child, meaningful adult, and the GAI; (2) analysis of resilience themes; and (3) generative visualization representing the child's story through DALL-E's imaging capabilities. Implementation protocol: The CanvasHero is optimally designed for children ages 7–16 under adult supervision, with the HEART Checklist developed to structure this process. Sessions typically occur remotely via videoconference, or in person. Intended outcomes: CanvasHero aims to create a playful space for processing stress and trauma, identifies resilience resources, and strengthens these capabilities. At the same time, risks in GenAI integration are mitigated via human oversight and an ethics-focused design. Conclusion: CanvasHero exemplifies a GenAI application that can assist during wartime, serving as a psycho-educational mediator and facilitating an imaginative and playful space between children and meaningful adults. Further studies are required to evaluate effectiveness and potential risks.http://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/pii/S2949882125000805ResilienceMass traumaDisplaced populationChildren and youthAI toolsImagination |
| spellingShingle | Yuval Haber Inbar Levkovich Iftach Tzafrir Karny Gigi Dror Yinon Dorit Hadar Shoval Zohar Elyoseph CanvasHero: The role of artificial intelligence in cultivating resilience among children and youth using the 6-part story method in mass war trauma Computers in Human Behavior: Artificial Humans Resilience Mass trauma Displaced population Children and youth AI tools Imagination |
| title | CanvasHero: The role of artificial intelligence in cultivating resilience among children and youth using the 6-part story method in mass war trauma |
| title_full | CanvasHero: The role of artificial intelligence in cultivating resilience among children and youth using the 6-part story method in mass war trauma |
| title_fullStr | CanvasHero: The role of artificial intelligence in cultivating resilience among children and youth using the 6-part story method in mass war trauma |
| title_full_unstemmed | CanvasHero: The role of artificial intelligence in cultivating resilience among children and youth using the 6-part story method in mass war trauma |
| title_short | CanvasHero: The role of artificial intelligence in cultivating resilience among children and youth using the 6-part story method in mass war trauma |
| title_sort | canvashero the role of artificial intelligence in cultivating resilience among children and youth using the 6 part story method in mass war trauma |
| topic | Resilience Mass trauma Displaced population Children and youth AI tools Imagination |
| url | http://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/pii/S2949882125000805 |
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