Retired People's Experience of Participation in Art Classes

Abstract

The role that different activities play in contributing to retired people's wellbeing is not well understood, a situation that needs to be addressed now that a long period of retirement is becoming the norm for millions of people in western societies. Research carried out over the last decade has explored some aspects of participation in various activities, such as exercise, but only a few studies have explored retirees' own perspectives. This qualitative research used phenomenological methods to explore art class activity as experienced by six retired people living in the community. The participants' perspectives were explored using unstructured interviews. The data were analysed using a phenomenological approach, as outlined by Van Kaam (1959, and described by Streubert and Carpenter 1995), and the participants then confirmed the findings. Painting added a special dimension to the particpants' retirement: it gave satisfaction, challenge, time transformation, a sense of achievement, productivity and a boost to confidence. These results confirm and extend previous studies that link creative activities to wellbeing, including those that reveal how positive emotions contribute to health. Actual attendance at an art class was also seen as valuable, because working in a group was experienced as an inspiration and an opportunity to be encouraged by and to learn from others. The activity and the socialising seemed to be equally important aspects of attending an art class, which supports Wilcock's (2007) latest theories of the benefits of belonging. This research may contribute to the justification for participation in art or craft activity within the community, in occupational therapy practice or in settings such as residential homes, by providing further understanding of its meaning and value for retirees and its potential for promoting their health.

In the Footsteps of Wilcock, Part One: The Evolution of Doing, Being, Becoming, and Belonging

“…Creativity is both an innate capacity that resides within everyone, and a driver of biological needs for expression (Wilcock, 2006). Problem solving, play, and innovation are examples of creativity in occupation, with a study of retired people attending an art class confirming the significance of both its presence and absence (Bedding & Sadlo, 2008).…”

“…Perhaps unsurprisingly, most research into belonging occurs in group settings. For seniors attending an art class, the social aspects were just as important as doing, being, and becoming (Bedding & Sadlo, 2008). Another artistic occupation, circle dance, was also valued for the connectedness it offered to group members (Costa, 2012).…”

Beyond health and well-being: transformation, memory and the virtual in older people’s music and dance

“…It is interesting to note an increasing focus on the idea of locating ''meaning'' and participating in ''meaningful activity'' as core dimensions to subjective well-being among older people (Bedding & Sadlo 2008;Fisher & Specht 1999;Jonsson et al 2001;Sinnott 1998). However, the precise role that such ''meaningful'' or ''meaning-making'' activities take in enhancing notions of subjective well-being among older people is not yet well understood (Bedding & Sadlo 2008;Rudman et al 1997).…”

“…However, the precise role that such ''meaningful'' or ''meaning-making'' activities take in enhancing notions of subjective well-being among older people is not yet well understood (Bedding & Sadlo 2008;Rudman et al 1997). As one example, a study investigating the ''role and meaning'' that music plays in enhancing well-being in the lives of a community of older Australian people ''[frames] music as a symbol used by people for constructing self-identity [that gives] meanings to experiences and emotions .…”

Young People in Out-of-School Arts Education: The Influence of the Proximity of the Provision on Their Participation Decision

“…This could be considered a so-called "shadow cost" (Stigler and Becker 1977), a term that refers to the fact that taking art classes means losing the opportunity to spend time on other hobbies. On the other hand, the time spent on arts education might also be experienced as productive and meaningful, unlike, perhaps, time spent at home (Bedding and Sadlo 2008).…”