The Value of Active Arts Engagement on Health and Well-Being of Older Adults: A Nation-Wide Participatory Study

Barbara Groot, Lieke de Kock, Yosheng Liu, Christine Dedding, Janine Schrijver, Truus Teunissen, Margo van Hartingsveldt, Jan Menderink, Yvonne Lengams, Jolanda Lindenberg and Tineke Abma
Additional contact information
Barbara Groot: Leyden Academy, Rijnsburgerweg 10, 2333 AA Leiden, The Netherlands
Lieke de Kock: Leyden Academy, Rijnsburgerweg 10, 2333 AA Leiden, The Netherlands
Yosheng Liu: Department of Medical Humanities, Amsterdam UMC, Location VUmc, De Boelelaan 1089a, 1081 HV Amsterdam, The Netherlands
Christine Dedding: Department of Medical Humanities, Amsterdam UMC, Location VUmc, De Boelelaan 1089a, 1081 HV Amsterdam, The Netherlands
Janine Schrijver: Sichting B.a.d., Talingstraat 5, 3082 MG Rotterdam, The Netherlands
Truus Teunissen: Department of Medical Humanities, Amsterdam UMC, Location VUmc, De Boelelaan 1089a, 1081 HV Amsterdam, The Netherlands
Margo van Hartingsveldt: Department of Occupational Therapy, Applied University of Amsterdam, Tafelbergweg 51, 1105 BD Amsterdam, The Netherlands
Jan Menderink: Leyden Academy, Rijnsburgerweg 10, 2333 AA Leiden, The Netherlands
Yvonne Lengams: Leyden Academy, Rijnsburgerweg 10, 2333 AA Leiden, The Netherlands
Jolanda Lindenberg: Leyden Academy, Rijnsburgerweg 10, 2333 AA Leiden, The Netherlands
Tineke Abma: Leyden Academy, Rijnsburgerweg 10, 2333 AA Leiden, The Netherlands

IJERPH, 2021, vol. 18, issue 15, 1-17

Abstract: An emerging body of research indicates that active arts engagement can enhance older adults’ health and experienced well-being, but scientific evidence is still fragmented. There is a research gap in understanding arts engagement grounded in a multidimensional conceptualization of the value of health and well-being from older participants’ perspectives. This Dutch nation-wide study aimed to explore the broader value of arts engagement on older people’s perceived health and well-being in 18 participatory arts-based projects (dance, music, singing, theater, visual arts, video, and spoken word) for community-dwelling older adults and those living in long term care facilities. In this study, we followed a participatory design with narrative- and arts-based inquiry. We gathered micro-narratives from older people and their (in)formal caregivers ( n = 470). The findings demonstrate that arts engagement, according to participants, resulted in (1) positive feelings, (2) personal and artistic growth, and (3) increased meaningful social interactions. This study concludes that art-based practices promote older people’s experienced well-being and increase the quality of life of older people. This study emphasizes the intrinsic value of arts engagement and has implications for research and evaluation of arts engagement.

Keywords: long-term care; healthy and active aging; seniors; impact; elderly; arts activities (search for similar items in EconPapers)
JEL-codes: I I1 I3 Q Q5 (search for similar items in EconPapers)
Date: 2021
References: View references in EconPapers View complete reference list from CitEc
Citations: View citations in EconPapers (2)

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