Date of Award

Spring 5-5-2024

Document Type

Thesis

Degree Name

MAE - Master of Arts in Expressive Therapies

Department

Expressive Therapies

Advisor

Raquel Stephenson

Abstract

Some older adults experience physical and cognitive changes that can lead to social isolation and can impact identity, health, and wellbeing. Research has shown that arts-based group psychosocial interventions have the potential to improve the quality of life for older adults along with fostering connections in community and building confidence and acceptance of self-identity. From this research, I developed a crafts-based intervention that focused on the interests and hobbies of the group members. The group was offered in an independent living facility with women over the age of 62 who were American and Asian-American. Over the course of the sessions, the data revealed that the group members were able to find strength and community through being challenged by new activities formed from their interests. The group members were also able to identify themselves in their art making, showing the potential of taking multiple pieces of art and bringing them together to show a bigger picture of the individual. The findings support the research that art therapy has many benefits for older adults, but challenges the notion that the activities be based out of fine arts interventions. It emphasizes the need for further research within the field about implementing crafts-based interventions with older populations.

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Creative Commons Attribution 4.0 License
This work is licensed under a Creative Commons Attribution 4.0 License.

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