As the global population ages, Taiwan is also entering a super-aged society. Rapid demographic shifts underscore the urgent need for multigenerational integration and connection. Artistic expression, which transcends language, offers a promising pathway toward building a flourishing society. Grounded in Seligman’s (2012) PERMA model of well-being—comprising Positive emotion (P), Engagement (E), Relationships (R), Meaning (M), and Accomplishment (A)—this study aimed to develop a community-based “Art Box” through collaboration between young art therapists and older adults. The Art Box contains four DIY art-based activities designed to be accessible to older adults, utilizing sturdy and manageable materials. Delivered to communities as a mobile intervention, the Art Box aims to foster creative engagement and enhance well-being among elderly recipients. Moreover, the development process itself is positioned as a co-creative opportunity for young art therapists and older adults to experience mutual growth and intergenerational connection through the lens of positive psychology. Participants included two groups: eight young art therapists (aged 25–35) and six community-dwelling older adults (aged 60–75). Through multiple rounds of collaborative meetings, the intergenerational team co-designed the Art Box, including its visual identity, instructions, blessing cards, and a future invitation for community sharing. A qualitative phenomenological approach was employed, drawing from development records, semi-structured interviews, and focus group discussions to explore participants’ lived experiences throughout the co-creation process. Findings revealed that both generations experienced deep meaning (M) and a sense of accomplishment (A) through their creative collaboration. The process of bringing the Art Box to life from scratch was described as thoughtful, empowering, and socially impactful. In terms of relationships (R), young therapists expressed admiration for the older adults’ wisdom, creativity, and out-of-the-box thinking, while the elderly participants reported feeling energized and socially engaged through working with youth. Engagement (E) was evident as participants lost track of time during sessions, often skipping meals and describing a sense of flow. Positive emotions—including joy, satisfaction, and hope—were frequently reported. Overall, the project itself, rooted in meaningful purpose, served as a vehicle for PERMA-based well-being, amplified through intergenerational synergy. The paper concludes with practical and research implications for designing inclusive, strengths-based interventions in aging societies.
Published in | Abstract Book of ICPHMS2025 & ICPBS2025 |
Page(s) | 60-60 |
Creative Commons |
This is an Open Access abstract, distributed under the terms of the Creative Commons Attribution 4.0 International License (http://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/4.0/), which permits unrestricted use, distribution and reproduction in any medium or format, provided the original work is properly cited. |
Copyright |
Copyright © The Author(s), 2025. Published by Science Publishing Group |
Positive Psychology, Art Therapy, Intergenerational Co-Creation, PERMA Model, Aging and Well-Being