Promoting Health and Wellbeing Through Non-Clinical Arts Programming: Multi-Stakeholder Perspectives From the Veterans Health Administration

Abstract

Purpose While the value of art therapy is well-established and arts are increasingly leveraged to promote health and wellbeing more broadly, little is known about the impacts of non-clinical arts programs. In this preliminary investigation, we sought to fill this gap by exploring diverse stakeholders’ perspectives on the impacts of non-clinical arts programming on Veterans receiving care at the Veterans Health Administration (VA). Design Semi-structured qualitative interviews with Veterans, VA staff, and community partners. Setting Interviewees were recruited from 7 VA medical centers that have recently implemented non-clinical arts programming to promote Veterans’ health and wellbeing, some of them in partnership with community organizations. Participants 33 individuals were interviewed, including 9 Veterans, 14 VA staff, and 10 community partners involved in non-clinical arts program implementation. Method Interview transcripts were analyzed using iterative rounds of qualitative content analysis. Results The following impacts on Veterans were described: (1) mental health improvements, (2) renewed sense of purpose; (3) increased social connectedness, (4) improved self-esteem, and (5) self-driven engagement in art activities. Conclusion Non-clinical arts programming was perceived by diverse stakeholders to offer important benefits for Veterans’ health and well-being. Offering non-clinical arts programming inside and outside healthcare facilities’ walls is a promising direction for the field of public health undergoing a shift towards holistic approaches to improving individual and population health outcomes.