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Browsing by Author "Rush, Haley"
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Item Art Therapy Impact on Aging Adults’ Quality of Life: Leisure and Learning(T&F, 2022) Misluk, Eileen; Rush, Haley; Herron School of Art and DesignQuality of life (QoL) is influenced by physical and psychological health, but includes subjective qualities that are inherent in social and cognitive processes necessary for healthy aging and overall well-being. A quantitative study analyzed the effects of art therapy for 14 aging adults utilizing the Brunnsviken Brief Quality of Life Scale (BBQ) at pre, mid, and post 32-week study. Regression analysis showed significant positive changes in two areas: Importance of Learning and Leisure. Participating in art therapy increased the importance of learning and leisure, that are influential factors in QoL for aging adults. This demonstrates that art therapy has the potential to support healthy aging.Item Eternal Age: Art Therapy as a Means of Improving Quality of Life(2019) Rush, Haley; Misluk, EileenThis human-subject study used a mixed methods research design to identify if participation in individual, group, and open studio art therapy sessions would improve the quality of life for older adults. Person centered care was used as a framework for the art therapy programming. The Brunnsviken Brief Quality of life scale (BBQ) was used as a pre and mid test intervention and provided a baseline measure of quality of life. It was hypothesized that there would be an increase in the BBQ scores after participation in a 16-week art therapy program. The average difference of individuals pre and mid BBQ scores were used to identify if a change in quality of life had occurred in the life areas of leisure, creativity, and learning through the art making process. This study assessed creativity and learning through art making and leisure as the time spent in the process. The results showed that the overall BBQ scores were not representative of the gains demonstrated, although there were notable increases in leisure, creativity, and learning. Additionally, companionship was found to be a key factor in quality of life. These findings provided support for the use of a person-centered approach to art therapy which may lead to an increase in quality of life for older adults. Future implications of this study include continuing to explore the correlations between art therapy and quality of life as a means of engaging older adults in meaningful and productive activities that foster self-esteem, autonomy, empowerment, and problem-solving skills.Item Foraged Materials in Art Therapy: An Arts-Based Experiential Study(2022) Slabach, Katie; Misluk, Eileen; Leeds, Chelsea; Rush, HaleyThis arts-based experiential study was established to study the specific therapeutic benefits of foraged materials when implemented into art therapy practice and identify material properties that may be more or less therapeutically effective for individual clients. Fourteen Likert rating scales were used to measure the properties of 34 foraged materials during eight artmaking sessions. Each session included a group of three to seven foraged materials and consisted of artmaking, the photographic documentation of artwork, material property rating on the Likert scales, and a narrative documentation of the entire session. After all the material properties were rated, the results were grouped according to the rank they received within each property rating scale and each property was assessed to determine how it would affect therapeutic efficacy with different populations. Recommendations for foraged material application in art therapy practice were offered. Overall, the study resulted in a set of scales and criteria for measuring foraged material properties and how they affect an individual, as well as guidelines for incorporating foraged materials into art therapy practice with respect to material properties and population needs. Among other benefits, the application of these results will offer an opportunity to create a stronger connection between the client and the therapeutic process and make art therapy more approachable to those who are resistant to working with conventional art materials.Item Impact: Art Therapy and Aging Adults(2019-10) Misluk-Gervase, Eileen; Rush, HaleyUnited States Census Bureau (2017) reported that older adults currently make up 14.9% of the population in the United States. They project that the population of adults 65 and older will double by 2060 to approximately 98 million comprising 25% of the total population (United States Census Bureau, 2017). The Federal Interagency Forum on Aging Related Statistics (2016) reported that adults 55-75+ spent 58-60% of their time watching TV and 11-13% of their time in “Other Leisure” activities. These included reading, computer, arts, hobbies, and travel. The Administration on Aging (2018) found that there are unique needs of older adults including mental stimulation to reduce cognitive decline, developing new skills for cognitive improvement, social interaction/engagement, redefining purpose, building on existing strengths, and promoting autonomy. Art therapy and the creative process supports the life review, which is a normal and healthy developmental phase in later life (Haber, 2006; Hanneman, 2006; Magniant, 2008). The use of imagery supports memory recall and provides tangible evidence of the therapeutic process (Kelley, 2017; Hinkle, 2018). Learning a new task supports the development of new neural pathways, strengthens existing pathways, and supports a healthy brain (Alders, 2012). Art making requires a curious process that encourages cognitive flexibility, risk taking, decision-making, and autonomy. It provides older adults with the ability to explore, process, and heal from life experiences and build resilience and understanding of the aging process (Alders, 2016). A grant from the Healthcare Initiatives, Inc. supported the development of two art therapy programs within two agencies in the Indianapolis area. Additionally, the grant supported 2 art therapists and 4 graduate students who developed individual and group sessions providing structured and unstructured tasks geared to address the unique needs of older adults. The outcome of the grant-funded program studied changes in perceived mood and quality of life. The evaluation tools used the Brunnsviken Brief Quality of life scale (BBQ) (Lindner, et al. 2016) and the Geriatric Depression Scale (GDS) (2018). The scales were administered pre, mid, and post study to provide baseline, progress, and end results of participation in the study. The researchers also tracked participation in individual, group, and open studio as well as material choice, themes, and session directives. Additionally, the researchers collected participant and caregiver testimonials regarding participation throughout the research study. The paper presentation will include an overview of the grant proposal; an understanding of program development as it relates to the aging population; the identification and use of the BBQ and GDS scales for aging adults; successes and challenges faced in the implementation of services; and the short and long-term benefits of this program.