The purpose of this study is to see how art therapy using Korean painting materials affects the elderly depression and self-expression. The research was conducted with a 79-year-old woman diagnosed of depression by a psychiatrist in a total of 23 sessions from February 23 to April 5, 2007. The Korean Geriatric Depression Scale (KGDS), the Draw A Person (DAP) test, and analysis of verbal self-expression and artistic self-expression were carried out to examine changes in depression. The results were as follows: First, as for KGDS, post-test showed a
four-point reduction than pretest. Second, as for the DAP test, pretest showed eyes, the nose, and the mouth within the neck, but post-test showed eyes, the nose, and the mouth transferred to the face region with ears added. Third, verbal expression at the early stage showed negation of their ability or simple responses; however, there was an increase in verbal expression after the middle stage. Thus, art therapy using Korean painting materials was effective to reduce depression and to improve self-expression of the elderly. Such a positive result demonstrates that the characteristic feel of Korean paper, deep absorption of colors, and image by natural shapes exerted significant effects on their emotional stability and
expression of feeling
Key Words : Depression, self-expression, Korean painting material