This study was to investigate the effect of group art therapy program
which employs cognitive behavioral counseling on the elder's depression and
life satisfaction. Prior test was conducted on 98 senior citizens out of many
applicants registered to a welfare center and a senior citizens center, both of
which are located in G city, S city, and P city in Gyeonggido and research
objects were selected from them. 64 people out of them were first assigned
to experimental group and control group but final number was 30 people
respectively excluding 2 absentees. Group art therapy program was conducted
on the experimental group for 30 minutes, twice a week, total 12 sessions
without treatment of control group. In order to look into effect of the
program, prior-post-subsequent test was conducted on the experimental
group and control group, in which the Geriatric Depression Scale Short Form
Korea Version (GDSSF-K) and the Elderly Life Satisfaction Question
(MUNSH) were used, and then significance was confirmed through paired
Samples t-test. As a result of research, post test showed decrease in
depression and increase in life satisfaction of the elder comparing with prior
test, and furthermore, it continued later. Through such research result, it was
confirmed that group art therapy program which employs cognitive behavioral
counseling had an effect on decrease in depression and increase in life
satisfaction of the elder.