Its true! and Kalmbach who's business is hobbies should capitalise on this---
NOT JUST A HOBBY: THE MODERATING EFFECT OF CREATIVITY ON ANHEDONIA AND SUICIDALITY IN OLDER ADULTS
D.K. Nadorff, C. Adams-Price, Psychology, Mississippi State University, Mississippi State, Mississippi
Changes in anhedonia levels (a major component of depression) have been identified as a significant predictor of suicidal ideation, even above and beyond other components of depression. Cognitive behavioral therapy seeks to treat symptoms of depression, such as anhedonia, by increasing the number of pleasant activities that patients engage in. Additionally, previous research has found that creative hobbies can help to reduce anxiety and depression rates, and even the perception of pain in cancer patients. However, little research has investigated the mechanisms by which anhedonia increases suicide risk.
The purpose of the current study was to examine whether engagement in creative activities would moderate the relation between symptoms of anhedonia and suicidal ideation, which may lay the groundwork for interventions seeking to reduce anhedonia symptoms. A sample of 605 adults aged forty and older ( M = 51 years, 65% female) was utilized in the present study.
As expected, higher rates of anhedonia were related to higher reported feelings of suicidal ideation within our sample. However, creative behaviors moderated this association ( t = -2.59, p = .01). Specifically, those participants who were highly creative did NOT have a significant relation between their rates of anhedonia and suicidality, while those low in creativity did. Thus, research investigating whether interventions aimed at increasing creativity among anhedonic individuals reduces suicide risk is warranted. These findings will be discussed in the context of Erikson’s theory of development in middle and late life. Implications, further directions, and limitations will also be discussed.
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