Effects of Expressive Arts-based Intervention in quality of life and social support of depressed elderly

Abstract

Background: Geriatric depression has long been a prominent issue at global level due to the deteriorating physical health along with aging and its impacts on quality of life. Perceived social support is regarded as a protective factor against unfavorable health conditions among the aging population. Expressive Artsbased (EAB) group intervention emerges as an alternative treatment for geriatric depression because it provides a space for elderly to explore and express their feelings through arts creation, as well as to receive support from others. The present study aimed to explore the potential benefits of such intervention in improving the quality of life and perceived social support of elderly with mild-and-moderate depressive symptoms. Method: A single goup pre-post quasi-experimental design was adopted. One hundred and eighty nine old adults (86.8% Female; Age: M=74.7, SD=8.1) with mild-and-moderate depressive symptoms and without major cognitive impairment, from 27 elderly centers in Hong Kong, were included in this study. They were invited to participate in an 8-week EAB group intervention which was led by trained healthcare professionals in respective elderly centers, with each session lasted for 1.5 hours. Elderly’s quality of life and perceived social support were measured before and after group intervention. Dependent t-test was conducted to assess changes in elderly’s quality of life, quantity of social support and their satisfaction level towards perceived social support. Results: The EAB intervention significantly enhanced elderly’s overall quality of life (t(151)= -3.98, p < .00) and overall satisfaction of their health condition (t(150)= -3.23, p < .00), in which significant improvements were observed in the psychological (t(149)= -2.64, p < .00) and environmental (t(150)= -4.87, p < .00) domains of quality of life. Regarding perceived social support, the average quantity (t(155)= -3.88, p< .00) and average satisfaction score (t(122)= -3.61, p < .00) of social support increased significantly when compared to baseline. Conclusion: The preliminary findings suggest EAB group intervention might be an effective intervention for enhancing the quality of life and social support network of elderly with depressive symptoms. The participants found their lives more satisfied, enjoyable and meaningful. They also gained a bigger network and higher satisfaction toward their social support.