The use of expressive arts therapy in supporting older adults who have experienced the loss of a family member: a scoping review

Abstract

This scoping review mapped the existing research on the use of expressive arts therapy in supporting older adults who have experienced loss of a family member. It aimed to describe application, mechanisms and outcomes, and cultural adaptations. Following Arksey and O’Malley’s (2005) framework, searches of PubMed, PsycINFO, ProQuest, EBSCO and Google Scholar yielded 14 eligible studies between 2000 and 2026 after screening. Included studies were largely qualitative and dominated by visual-arts interventions—drawing, painting, collaging, scrapbooking—delivered most often in structured, group formats, and five studies focused exclusively on participants aged 60+. Four core themes emerged: social connectivity and collective healing; symbolic, nonverbal emotional expression; meaning reconstruction and narrative integration; and adaptive continuing bonds and legacy work. Short-term reductions in distress and improved well-being were commonly reported, but evidence for long-term resilience, age-specific effects, and cross-cultural durability is limited.The literature also shows geographic and modality biases and inconsistent outcome measures. In sum, expressive arts therapies are theoretically well aligned with contemporary grief models and show promise for late-life bereavement, but stronger, larger, longitudinal, and culturally diverse research—with standardized outcomes and inclusion of grey literature—is needed to confirm durability and guide practice.