Expressive arts therapy for subjective happiness and loneliness feelings in institutionalized elderly women: A pilot study

ABSTRACT

The present study aimed to assess the effectiveness of Expressive Arts Therapy (EAT) in enhancing subjective happiness and reducing feelings of loneliness among institutionalized elderly women. The sample comprised of 5 women aged between 60-71 years. They were assessed on the Subjective Happiness Scale and UCLALoneliness scale. Pre and post-test analysis of Expressive Arts Therapy was done. The results showed improvement in the scores of subjective happiness and loneliness scales. It is concluded that EAT may produce positive effects on subjective happiness and loneliness feelings of institutionalized elderly women, however, a larger sample may draw a better conclusion.

Disclosure statement

The authors declare that there is no conflict of interest.

Additional information

Notes on contributors

Komal Mishra

Komal Mishra is an expressive arts therapist, counselling psychologist and graphologist. She is also certified in story telling therapy and talk therapy. Her interests include psychodrama, cognitive behavioural approaches, dance movement therapy, music therapy etc. She is skilled in both, group therapy and individual therapy. 

Nishi Misra

Dr. Nishi Misra is an Associate Director of public interface at Defence Research and Development Organisation (DRDO) Headquarters, New Delhi. She has been working as Scientist 'F in the personality division of Defence Institute of Psychological Research (DIPR), DRDO. She has published various research papers in the field of psychology in both Indian as well as International journals.

Nandita Chaube

Nandita Chaube is working as an assistant professor at School of Behavioural Science, National Forensic Sciences University. She is a certified operator of Layered Voice Analysis and also certified in counselling, dream analysis, art therapy, hypnotherapy, intelligence assessment and Baley assessment. As an active researcher, she has published books and several research papers in esteemed journals. Her services as reviewer are also recognised by international publication houses. Her research interests are clinical psychology, psychotherapy, forensic psychology projective assessments and qualitative research.