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.