FREE DRAWING GROUP ACTIVITY THERAPY: A STRATEGY TO REDUCE LONELINESS IN ELDERLY NURSING HOME RESIDENTS (Original Research)
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Title
FREE DRAWING GROUP ACTIVITY THERAPY: A STRATEGY TO REDUCE LONELINESS IN ELDERLY NURSING HOME RESIDENTS (Original Research)
Subject
loneliness; elderly; free drawing; group activity therapy
Description
Introduction: Elderly individuals are particularly vulnerable to psychosocial
issues, one of the most common being loneliness. If left unaddressed, loneliness can
lead to a reduced quality of life and an increased risk of mental health disorders,
including depression and even suicidal behavior. One effective nonpharmacological intervention to reduce loneliness is group activity therapy, such
as free drawing. This study aimed to identify the characteristics of the elderly,
assess the level of loneliness they experience, and analyze the effect of free drawing
activity therapy on reducing loneliness among elderly residents in the Nursing
Home.
Method: A quasi-experimental design was employed, utilizing a two-group pretestposttest approach. A total of 60 elderly participants were selected through
purposive sampling and divided evenly into intervention and control groups. The
intervention group received free drawing activity therapy sessions from March to
April 2025 at PSTW Budi Mulia 3.
Results: Data were analyzed using paired t-tests and independent t-tests. The
findings showed a significant reduction in the mean loneliness score in the
intervention group, from 48.57 to 41.87 (p = 0.001), while the control group
experienced a slight increase from 50.40 to 50.70 (p = 0.445). Furthermore, there
was a statistically significant difference in post-intervention loneliness scores
between the two groups (p = 0.001).
Conclusions: In conclusion, free drawing activity therapy significantly reduced
loneliness among elderly residents in nursing homes and may serve as a practical
non-pharmacological strategy to enhance their psychosocial well-being
issues, one of the most common being loneliness. If left unaddressed, loneliness can
lead to a reduced quality of life and an increased risk of mental health disorders,
including depression and even suicidal behavior. One effective nonpharmacological intervention to reduce loneliness is group activity therapy, such
as free drawing. This study aimed to identify the characteristics of the elderly,
assess the level of loneliness they experience, and analyze the effect of free drawing
activity therapy on reducing loneliness among elderly residents in the Nursing
Home.
Method: A quasi-experimental design was employed, utilizing a two-group pretestposttest approach. A total of 60 elderly participants were selected through
purposive sampling and divided evenly into intervention and control groups. The
intervention group received free drawing activity therapy sessions from March to
April 2025 at PSTW Budi Mulia 3.
Results: Data were analyzed using paired t-tests and independent t-tests. The
findings showed a significant reduction in the mean loneliness score in the
intervention group, from 48.57 to 41.87 (p = 0.001), while the control group
experienced a slight increase from 50.40 to 50.70 (p = 0.445). Furthermore, there
was a statistically significant difference in post-intervention loneliness scores
between the two groups (p = 0.001).
Conclusions: In conclusion, free drawing activity therapy significantly reduced
loneliness among elderly residents in nursing homes and may serve as a practical
non-pharmacological strategy to enhance their psychosocial well-being
Creator
Heni Nurhaeni , Mawar Meilita, and Wahyu Widagdo
Source
http://dx.doi.org/10.53344/pnj.v7.i2.75481
Publisher
UNAIR
Date
September 2025
Contributor
Sri Wahyuni
Rights
ISSN : 26563894
Files
Collection
Citation
Heni Nurhaeni , Mawar Meilita, and Wahyu Widagdo, “FREE DRAWING GROUP ACTIVITY THERAPY: A STRATEGY TO REDUCE LONELINESS IN ELDERLY NURSING HOME RESIDENTS (Original Research),” Repository Horizon University Indonesia, accessed April 23, 2026, https://repository.horizon.ac.id/items/show/11861.