Free Drawing Group Activity Therapy: A Strategy to Reduce Loneliness in Elderly Nursing Home Residents
Downloads
Introduction: Elderly individuals are particularly vulnerable to psychosocial issues, one of the most common being loneliness. If left unaddressed, loneliness can lead to a reduced quality of life and an increased risk of mental health disorders, including depression and even suicidal behavior. One effective non-pharmacological intervention to reduce loneliness is group activity therapy, such as free drawing. This study aimed to identify the characteristics of the elderly, assess the level of loneliness they experience, and analyze the effect of free drawing activity therapy on reducing loneliness among elderly residents in the Nursing Home.
Method: A quasi-experimental design was employed, utilizing a two-group pretest-posttest approach. A total of 60 elderly participants were selected through purposive sampling and divided evenly into intervention and control groups. The intervention group received free drawing activity therapy sessions from March to April 2025 at PSTW Budi Mulia 3.
Results: Data were analyzed using paired t-tests and independent t-tests. The findings showed a significant reduction in the mean loneliness score in the intervention group, from 48.57 to 41.87 (p = 0.001), while the control group experienced a slight increase from 50.40 to 50.70 (p = 0.445). Furthermore, there was a statistically significant difference in post-intervention loneliness scores between the two groups (p = 0.001).
Conclusions: In conclusion, free drawing activity therapy significantly reduced loneliness among elderly residents in nursing homes and may serve as a practical non-pharmacological strategy to enhance their psychosocial well-being.
Anisa, Rizki Nur, Annisa Krismalia Putri, Vina Vitaloka Tri Pamungkas, Yuli Putri Hasanah1, and Siti Hikmah. 2024. “Studi Kasus Pada Lansia: Perbedaan Sosio Emosional Lansia Di Panti Wredha Dengan Lansia Di Rumah.” Jurnal Empati 13(1):30–36.
Asosiasi Pencegahan Bunuh diri Indonesia. 2025. “Statistik Bunuh Diri.” Asosiasi Pencegahan Bunuh Diri Indonesia. Retrieved July 4, 2025 (https://www.inasp.id/suicide-statistics).
Atchley, Robert C. 1989. “A Continuity Theory of Normal Aging.” The Cerontological Society of America 29(9).
Aydin, Merve, and Fatma Yasemin Kutlu. 2021. “The Effect of Group Art Therapy on Loneliness and Hopelessness Levels of Older Adults Living Alone: A Randomized Controlled Study.” Florence Nightingale J Nurs 29(3):271–84. doi: 10.5152/FNJN.2021.20224.
Bahrudin, Syamsir, I. Takko Podding, and Abd Rahman. 2024. Keperawatan Jiwa ; Terapi Aktivitas Kelompok (TAK) Dan Asuhan Keperawatan Pasien Perilaku Kekerasan (PK). Nas Media Pustaka.
Cholid, Shafira, and Atika Dian Ariana. 2023. “Tendensi Bunuh Diri Pada Usia Tua: Tinjauan Literatur.”
Eliza, Juanita, and Nuhasanah. 2023. “Gambaran Kesepian Pada Lanjut Usia Dengan Kehilangan Pasangan.” JlM FKep 7(4).
Fajri, Riana. 2024. Terapi Seni Dan Hobi : Membangun Kesejhteraan Psikologis Melalui Ekspresi Kreatif. Surabaya: CV. Garuda Mas Sejahtera.
Fitriana, Eva, rina Puspita Sari, and Wibisono. 2021. “Faktor-Faktor Yang Berhubungan Dengan Tingkat Kesepian Pada Lansia.” Nusantara Hasana Journal 1(5):97–104.
Gemin, Savitri, and Regina Natalia. 2022. “Art Therapy Sebagai Upaya Mengatasi Kesepian Pada Lansia Dipanti Wreda Budi Sosial Kota Batam.” Journal of Community Dedication 2(2):82–87.
Ina, Matilda Maria, Errick Endra Cita, and Hilda Mazarina Devi. 2024. “Kondisi Lingkungan Sosial Dan Tingkat Kesepian Lansia Terlantar Di Griya Lansia.” Jurnal Ilmiah Keperawatan 8(1):75–82.
Keliat, Budi Anna, and Akemat Pawirowiyono. 2013. Keperawatan Jiwa : Terapi Aktivitas Kelompok. edisi 2. edited by B. Angelina. Penerbit buku kedokteran EGC.
Kementerian Kesehatan RI. 2023. Survei Kesehatan Indonesia. Kementerian Kesehatan RI.
Kementerian Kesehatan RI. 2024. “Perilaku Hidup Bersih Dan Sehat Pada Lansia.” BKKBN. Retrieved (https://golantang.bkkbn.go.id/perilaku-hidup-bersih-dan-sehat-pada-lansia).
Kirana, Kartika Chandra. 2021. “Gambaran Pengalaman Kesepian Dan Penerapan Logoterapi Pada Perempuan Lansia Warga Binaan Panti Wreda.” Jurnal Ilmiah Psikologi 23(1):46–64. doi: http://dx.doi.org/10.26486/psikologi.v23i1.1409.
KÖSE, Ebru, Füsun GÖKKAYA, and Nergis CANBULAT. 2023. “A New Perspective to Loneliness and Well Being Levels of the Older Adults: Art Therapy.” Sciences Journal of Social Sciences 25(46).
National Council on aging. 2025. “Suicide and Older Adults: What You Should Know.” National Council on Aging. Retrieved January 3, 2025 (https://www.ncoa.org/article/suicide-and-older-adults-what-you-should-know/).
Nurlianawati, Lia, Imam Abidin, and Cucu Rokaya. 2023. “Terapi Seni Menggambar Terdahap Kesepian Pada Lansia Dirumah Perawatan Lansia.” Jurnal Keperawatan BSI 11(2).
Nurlianawati, Lia, Imam Abidin, and Cucu Rokayah. 2023. “Terapi Seni Menggambar Terhadap Kesepian Pada Lanisa Dirumah Perawatan Lansia.” Jurnal Keperawatan BSI 11(2):178–82.
Nurlianawati, Lia, Tini Kurniasih, and Widyawati Widyawati. 2023. “Terapi Modalitas Berkebun Terhadap Kesepian Pada Lansia.” Jurnal Penelitian Perawat Profesional 5(3). doi: https://doi.org/10.37287/jppp.v5i3.1727.
Rahmawati, Ajeng Rizqia, Khrisna Wisnusakti, and Noch Bolla Ibrahim. 2023. “Hubunga Tingkat Kesepian Denga Depresi Pada Lansia Di UPTD Pusat Pelayanan Sosial Griya Lansia.” Jurnal Kesehatan Kartika 18(2).
Ramadhanny, Aisyah Nur. 2024. “Analisis Asuhan Keperawatan Melalui Intervensi Terapi Seni Menggambar Pasien Ny. I Dan Ny. L Dengan Skizofrenia Di Panti Sosial Bina Laras Haraoan Sentosa 2.”
Riyanti, Eska, Pudjiati, Eyet Hidayat, Prayetni, and Nurdahlia. 2023. “Terapi Seni (Mewarnai Dan Menggambar) Membantu Lansia Mengatasi Kecemasan.” JKEP (Jurnal Keperawatan) 8(2).
Ruswadi, Indra, and Evi Supriatun. 2022. Keperawatan Gerontik. edited by N. Duniawati. Jawa Barat: CV. Adanu Abimata.
Satria, Ramadhan Putra, and Nurhakim Yudhi Wibowo. 2022. “Pengalaman Kesepian Pada Lansia : Systematic Review.” Jurnal Ilmu Dan Teknologi Kesehatan 13(1).
Susanty, Sri, Jipri Suyanto, and Rosnancy Sinaga. 2020. “Apakah Jenis Kelamin Status Hidup Dan Depresi Dapat Mempengaruhi Kesepian Pada Lansia Di Wilayah Pesisir Indonesia?” Jurnal Kesehatan Kartika 15(2).
World health organization. 2024. “Ageing and Health.” World Health Organization. Retrieved October 1, 2024 (https://www.who.int/news-room/fact-sheets/detail/ageing-and-health).
World Health Organization. 2023. “Depressive Disorder (Depression).” World Health Organization. Retrieved March 31, 2024 (https://www.who.int/news-room/fact-sheets/detail/depression/?gad_source=1&gclid=CjwKCAiArva5BhBiEiwA-oTnXWMzh0x6sD0_-mg9k4LoKi4WNDDyqLXqyVCVZXnRrKHmfIvTT8TwJxoC-o0QAvD_BwE).
Copyright (c) 2025 Heni Nurhaeni, Mawar Meilita, Wahyu Widagdo

This work is licensed under a Creative Commons Attribution 4.0 International License.
1. The journal allows the author to hold the copyright of the article without restrictions.
2. The journal allows the author(s) to retain publishing rights without restrictions
3. The legal formal aspect of journal publication accessibility refers to Creative Commons Attribution (CC BY).