Expressive Healing: Mandala Art Therapy as a Non-Pharmacological Intervention for Depressive Symptoms in Institutional Home Residents

Abstract

Objective: The purpose of the research is to find out the effectiveness of Mandala Art Therapy on depressive symptoms among Older Adults living in institutional care homes. It was hypothesized that mandala art therapy will manage depressive symptoms among older adults living in institutional care homes.

Methodology: In the research 8 participants that take part in research are older adults living in institution care homes from Lahore, Pakistan (M=67.6, SD= 3.2). A total of 11 intervention session were administered on the participants by following a pre-planned session and both individual and group session were organized. Depression was measured using the subscale of Depression from depression, anxiety, and stress scale (Lovibond & Lovibond, 1995). The pre and post assessment data were analysed using Statistical Package for Social Sciences (SPSS-27).

Results: The results revealed that the depression symptoms level among the residents of institutional care home improved.  The assessment measure used in the current research was in Urdu version.

Conclusion: This study emphasizes on the cooperation of art therapy in institutional home care to involve them in activity which help them dealing with the state of sadness, loneliness, worthlessness, isolation and many other psychological problems which help them feel worthful, engaged in meaning full activity and also with environment and surrounding.