The impact of engagement with contemporary visual art on the wellbeing of older adults

Andrew Newman and Anna Goulding

The research project

• May 2009 – May 2011• 43 people aged 64 – 93• 3 visits to art galleries• Semi-structured interviews – Baseline– Before and after visit

• Placing respondents at the centre of the analysis rather than the art form or gallery

Theoretical framework

• Identity, through its processes and contents provides meaning, form and continuity to one’s life experiences (Kroger 2002)

• Optimal sense of identity – ‘subjective sense of sameness and continuity over time and space – provides feelings of wellbeing, of being ‘at home’ in one’s body and in one’s psychological and social worlds’ (Kroger and Adair, 2008).

Identity processes

• Identity processes undertaken in late-adulthood (Kroger 2002)– Maintenance processes (commitment)• Establishing visible forms of continuity with

previous interests, roles and relationships – Revision processes (exploration) • Reevaluation and refinement of important

identity elements from earlier years • Adjustment to change or to loss

• Focusing on the ways that content is used for identity processes

Maintenance processes

Maintenance processes

• I love the freedom of being able to learn, but the desire to learn is probably more with me now than it was certainly when I was younger, I think maybe because time’s running out. There is going to come a time when Alzheimer’s sets in, or you get to the ‘Iris Murdoch syndrome’ when you start to forget things and when that happens I really - I hope I know about it so that I can physically do something about it you know [laughs] and die gracefully, because I don’t want - if I lose the desire to learn, I think I would lose the desire for life.

Revision processes• Well I don’t know, when I come into (name of

sheltered accommodation) I just gave the two lots of needles away and I says I’m not going to knit any more. But now when I’m thinking having a bit knitting I think I’d start taking it up again. But I used to sit and like do needlework you know the fancy things.

• I think I’d start taking it up again…But I know I haven’t got the use in this hand that I did since I had the stroke, I haven’t got - but I wouldn’t mind trying it and then me memory’s not what it used to be, but you know.

Conclusions

• Responses can be interpreted in terms of identity processes that lead to wellbeing

• Maintenance and revision processes could be identified

• Continuity over time/links to families/life review• Perceived limited time• Reintegrating important identity elements• Readjusting following change/or anticipated change • Not always possible to use art for maintenance and revision • Not always desirable to use art for maintenance and revision

References

Kroger, J. (2002). Identity processes and contents through the years of late adulthood. Identity, 2, 1, 81-99.

Kroger, J. and Adair, V. (2008). Symbolic meanings of valued personal objects in identity transitions of late adulthood. Identity, 8, 1, 5-24.

Marcia, J. (2002). Identity and psychosocial development in adulthood. Identity, 2, 1, 7-28.