Date of Award

Spring 5-2013

Document Type

Thesis

Degree Name

Master of Science (MS)

Department

EVMS School of Health Professions

Program/Concentration

Art Therapy

Committee Director

Robin Afton

Committee Member

Madeline Dunstan

Abstract

For many older adults, the aging process brings many existential and end-of-life concerns. These concerns may be related to their experiences, their self-concept, and the choices they made throughout their lives. Older adults who are able to sufficiently address these issues are less vulnerable to feelings of depression and hopelessness. The geriatric population is in need of services that will help them resolve existential issues and integrate their experiences into a cohesive sense of self.

This qualitative case study explored the effectiveness of using the art therapy technique of the life review to help an older adult resolve existential questions pertaining to identity. In this study, the life review involved reminiscing, drawing memories from the entire lifespan, and creating a final “lifebook.” A seventy-five year old female was recruited and completed nine drawings that each corresponded to a specific phase in her life, ranging from infancy to maturity. Erik Erikson’s psychosocial theory was utilized as the framework for each phase. At the beginning and end of the study, the participant created a self-portrait in order to assess her sense of identity. The participant was asked several cognitive behavioral questions after the completion of the self-portraits and the life stage drawings. At the conclusion of the study, the participant was interviewed using a Grounded Theory approach.

Results demonstrated that the life review process allowed the participant to resolve several existential questions and experience a sense of closure and clarity in regard to her life. Further implications for the life review and for art therapy practice were discussed, as were suggestions for further research.

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DOI

10.25777/5bqn-mj64

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