Influence of art works on depression prevention in young people

Using the art works of Mitsuo Aida

Abstract

We studied the depression suppressive effects of artworks (by Mitsuo Aida) on young people to promote self-affirmation and acknowledgement of their best selves. A questionnaire survey was conducted for comparative examination targeting 60 technical school students (average age 28.5 ± 8.6) after they looked at the art works. The result shows that the average value of“ CES-D self-evaluation scale of depression”
decreased and the depressed mood of the examinees was significantly suppressed (P<0.05). Twenty-nine people (48.3%) were in a disordered mood before looking at the works but this number decreased to 22 (36.7%) after looking at the works. Therefore, one of the methods to prevent depression in young people is to have them look at art works that promote self-affirmation and use such works to change their mood. It was also effective for them to repeatedly experience acceptance by other people in a group.