문화예술활동의 노년기 우울 증상 완화 효과

This study aims to draw attention to arts and cultural activities as a means of buffering depressive symptoms among the elderly. Recent research suggests the necessity for new welfare policies that not only provide economic support but also consider psychological and social factors in preventing elderly depression. However, research in this domain remains insufficient, often including arts and cultural activities within broader leisure activities, thus inadequately exploring their specific impact on easing depressive symptoms. Hence, this study aims to validate the buffering effects of arts and cultural activities on depressive symptoms linked to major stressors in later life and to explore the meaning and context of these effects from the perspective of resilience. This research sequentially conducted quantitative and qualitative studies to investigate the influence of arts and cultural activities in combating depression in the elderly. The quantitative study, which used data in the 2020 Survey of the Elderly in Korea, examined whether arts and cultural activities could alleviate depressive symptoms associated with major stressors in later life. Major stressors were found to be correlated with increased depressive symptoms in later life. However, individuals engaging in arts and cultural activities experienced lower levels of depressive symptoms even when exposed to similar stressors. Based on the quantitative findings, phenomenological research was conducted in the qualitative study. Following Giorgi's analysis procedure grounded in phenomenology, data collection, analysis, and description were performed. The analysis yielded 73 meaning units, comprising 24 subcategories and 9 categories, encapsulated within 3 major themes. Building upon these results, this study aims to elucidate the effects of arts and cultural activities in buffering elderly depression and inspire future research in this domain. From a policy perspective, it suggests that arts and cultural activities could play a significant role in welfare policies of the elderly for healthy aging.