- Title
- Exploring the benefits of group-based creative activities on social cognition and social connectedness in older adults
- Creator
- Hines, Olivia
- Relation
- University of Newcastle Research Higher Degree Thesis
- Resource Type
- thesis
- Date
- 2024
- Description
- Coursework Masters - Master of Clinical Psychology (MClinPsych)
- Description
- Meaningful social connections are integral to healthy ageing, with social cognition being crucial to maintaining social engagement in later life. While group creative interventions have shown promise in enhancing cognitive function and social connectedness, their impact on social cognition in older adults remains unexplored. This pilot study aimed to assess the effects of a 10-week songwriting and artmaking intervention on social cognition and social connectedness in older adults. A clustered, pseudo-randomised controlled trial was conducted across six sites, with 41 participants aged 60 years or older recruited from retirement villages and the broader community within the Hunter New England region. Participants were assigned to one of three conditions: artmaking, songwriting, or a waitlist control group, with the intervention groups receiving weekly 90-minute sessions for 10 weeks. Assessments were conducted at baseline (T0) and immediate post-intervention (T1), where the primary outcome was social cognition (BASS), and the secondary outcome was social connectedness (LSNS-6). Contrary to expectations, no significant improvements were found in social cognition or social connectedness in the intervention condition. The study highlights the need for longer, more intensive programs and refined recruitment strategies to engage socially isolated older adults. It also emphasises the importance of fostering group dynamics and meaningful social interactions within the intervention. Despite the null results, this research provides valuable insights into the limited literature on creative interventions for older adults, pointing to the need for further research to optimise program design and promote social and cognitive wellbeing in our ageing population.
- Subject
- social cognition; social connection; older adults; creative; group activities
- Identifier
- http://hdl.handle.net/1959.13/1515609
- Identifier
- uon:56905
- Rights
- Copyright 2024 Olivia Hines
- Language
- eng
- Full Text
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