Creative Aging: Unraveling the Psychosocial Benefits of Art among Germany's Oldest Old. Findings from the Nationally Representative Study

Abstract

Objective: There is a dearth of studies examining the link between artistic activity and psychosocial outcomes exclusively among the oldest old. Therefore, this study investigates the association between artistic activity and psychosocial outcomes among individuals aged 80?years and over in Germany. Methods/Design: Data were drawn from the “Old Age in Germany (D80+)” study, including 3,181 participants aged 80+ living either in the community or in care facilities. Established instruments were used to measure artistic activity and psychosocial outcomes. Results: About 25.5% of participants engaged in artistic activities; singing (9.0%) and playing music (7.7%) were most common, mostly carried out at home (84.8%). Overall engagement in arts was not significantly linked to psychosocial outcomes except for reduced loneliness in men. Specific arts activities showed sex?specific benefits: singing and music-making were tied to lower loneliness among men, while photography/filming was linked to lower loneliness among women. Additionally, engaging in artistic activities outside the home was associated with greater life satisfaction in the total sample and particularly among women. Frequency of participation showed minimal associations with outcomes. Conclusions: One in four individuals aged 80+ in Germany engage in artistic activities (mainly at home). Artistic engagement—especially outside the home—may confer psychosocial benefits, such as reduced loneliness and improved life satisfaction, with effects varying by type of activity and sex.