A randomized, controlled study of the effects of art therapy on older Korean-Americans’ healthy aging

The purpose of this study was to examine the effects of art therapy on healthy aging in older adults in terms of its promotion of well-being and a better quality of life. Few research studies have been conducted on the Korean American older adult population to investigate the effectiveness of art therapy. The present study was undertaken to quantitatively assess the effect of art therapy on this population using three standardized psychological instruments to measure the dependent variables of affect, anxiety, and self-esteem. This study showed positive results that support the hypothesis that the art therapy intervention with 50 Korean American older adults promoted healthy aging by reducing negative emotions, improving self-esteem, and decreasing anxiety. Large effect sizes indicated an 84.6% positive change in affect (r = .92) and a 70.6% positive change in state of anxiety (r = .84) for participants in the art therapy intervention group over the control group. Moderate effect sizes of the art therapy intervention indicated positive changes in self-esteem and trait anxiety (r = .75 and r = .74, respectively). Therefore, art therapy sessions need to be designed for and applied to the older population, and they should target the cultivation of positive attitudes to improve self-esteem, and the elimination of negative emotions to promote emotional well-being. These factors encompass the promotion of better health for older individuals.

► The effect of art therapy intervention is measured with PANAS, STAI, and RSES.
► Art therapy reduces negative emotions in Korean American older adults.
► Art therapy decreases anxiety in Korean American older adults.
► Art therapy improves self-esteem in Korean American older adults.
► Art therapy promotes well being and a better quality of life in older adults.