Using the experience-sampling method to examine the psychological mechanisms by which participatory art improves wellbeing

Abstract

The health benefits of participatory arts are increasingly recognised, with a growing evidence base. [1][2][3] Nevertheless, it is important to improve understanding of the mechanisms by which artmaking may improve health and wellbeing in order to both build supporting explanatory models and to improve the efficacy of public health interventions. This article focuses on art-making as a personal resource in everyday life and its associations with psychological indices of wellbeing (both 'in the moment' and longer term), in order to explore the psychological mechanisms by which art-making promotes wellbeing in this context. it does so using a novel protocol in the arts and health -experiencesampling methodology (eSM).

Tracking momentary experience in the evaluation of arts-on-prescription services: using mood changes during art workshops to predict global wellbeing change

“…it was hypothesised that (1) global wellbeing scores would increase over the course of the art programmes, replicating previous findings; [6][7][8] (2) immediate measures of mood (calmness, alertness and contentment) would increase after taking part in each art workshop; 9 (3) mood would improve over the course of the art programmes; and (4) that improvements in mood during the art workshops would predict improvements in global wellbeing.…”

“… 1 – 3 This article reports on an evaluation of arts programmes run by Bristol Arts on Referral Alliance. The evaluation builds upon previous research using pre–post designs, which suggest that arts-on-prescription can improve wellbeing, 4 – 8 but is novel in that it draws on the experience sampling method, 9 tracking reports of momentary wellbeing over the course of arts-on-prescription programmes. The aim is to evaluate the extent to which dimensions of mood (hedonic tone, tense arousal and energetic arousal) are affected by art-making, how these change over time, and whether this predicts any long-term changes in wellbeing.…”

“…Research on art and health more generally supports the view that art making is associated with a broad range of benefits such as: decreased depression, anxiety and stress; and increased engagement, meaning (eudemonic happiness), empowerment, connection with others and self-esteem. 9 , 15 , 16 Research on the impact of community art groups suggests an improvement in wellbeing over the duration of the workshops, in both pre–post designs and a waiting list control study. 16 – 18 However, specific research on arts-on-prescription is more limited and consists of only a few research papers.…”

The Effect of Pet Therapy and Artist Interactions on Quality of Life in Brain Tumor Patients: A Cross-Section of Art and Medicine in Dialog

“…The approach of engaging an audience or a patient directly into the art-making process is referred to as participatory art. Over recent years, there is evidence that points to the health benefits associated with participatory arts [ 51 ]. Involvement in participatory art in the form of expressive writing, music, dancing etc.…”

Arts, health and wellbeing: a public health approach whose time has come

“…9 this article is drawn from her poster at the conference, which won first prize. also in this issue, we include a range of studies that contribute to the rapidly growing evidence-base for arts, Health & Wellbeing, including measurements of wellbeing among artists by Holt et al, 10 a review of singing among older people by daykin et al 11 and a study on a social prescribing initiative in museums by thomson et al 12 i hope we do not have to wait another five years for the next special issue on this vital aspect of public health.…”