Exploration of Spirituality in Retirees to Create an Art Activity Model for Enhancing Spiritual Well- Being

DOI

10.2991/assehr.k.211110.141How to use a DOI?

Keywords

Arts activities; Spiritual well-being; Lifelong learning; Older adults; Retirees

Abstract

Aging in society is now a global issue. Older adults comprise a big part of our society and their quality of life concerns the ability to live healthfully. The WHO (World Health Organization) explains, “Health is complete physical, mental, social, and spiritual well-being.” ^[10] This study focuses on a group of retired university professors who are lifelong learners, financially stable, though in declining health and with issues of self-esteem and emptiness causing stress and anxiety. Supporting self-awareness in order to tackle late-life changes suits their lifelong-learning temperaments. Enhanced spiritual well-being supports meaning of life, giving them new purpose. This study is part of the research on development of an arts activities model for enhancing spiritual well-being for older adults. The aim of this study is to explore and investigate the concept of activities for enhancing spiritual well-being in a community of retired university professors. Using document analysis and a synthesis of information related to theories of aging, gerontology, need of education, transformative learning, activity theory and the concept of spiritual development, in-depth interviews were conducted with five specialists and five retired university professors in Northern Thailand, aged 61-69 years, regarding the concept of spirituality and spiritual well-being, processing of learning in old age, and a model of art activities to enhance spiritual well-being. These factors were developed via model drafting. Findings are as follows: Principle of the model should connect with the interests of the individual and support aspects of self-awareness and relationships. Purpose of the model should focus on self-esteem, meaning of life, coping with change, and overcoming ego. Process of the model should dialogue deep-listening and reflection. Arts activities should be based on individual choice of interests and be condition appropriate. Evaluation of the model should be based on self-improvement and change in the individual.

Copyright

© 2021 The Authors. Published by Atlantis Press SARL.

Open Access

This is an open access article under the CC BY-NC license.

Download article (PDF)

TY  - CONF
AU  - Weena Thanachaisakul
AU  - Ariyabhorn Kuroda
PY  - 2021
DA  - 2021/11/22
TI  - Exploration of Spirituality in Retirees to Create an Art Activity Model for Enhancing Spiritual Well- Being
BT  - Proceedings of the 6th Annual International Seminar on Transformative Education and Educational Leadership (AISTEEL 2021)
PB  - Atlantis Press
SP  - 551
EP  - 565
SN  - 2352-5398
UR  - https://doi.org/10.2991/assehr.k.211110.141
DO  - 10.2991/assehr.k.211110.141
ID  - Thanachaisakul2021
ER  -