Not closing but starting point of lives for seniors: Action research of a welfare center’s autobiography class

Abstract

This study explores the benefits of arts and social capital networks for senior citizens generated during the arts program “Youth Autobiography School” (YAS). The program was held at a senior welfare center in Gwangju, South Korea with the purpose of enabling seniors to live more dignified lives. Qualitative action research with a questionnaire was employed as a study method. The findings demonstrated that the five stages of eight outcomes were created of 12 classes: first stage, empathy; second stage, trust; third stage, fun & pleasure, intellectual growth, and relationships; fourth stage, captivation, and self-satisfaction; and fifth stage, community engagement. Additionally, social capital networks were generated among participants.