Systematic review of the impact of arts for health activities on health, wellbeing and quality of life of older people living in care homes

Identifying depression-related topics in smartphone-collected free-response speech recordings using an automatic speech recognition system and a deep learning topic model

BACKGROUND

Prior research has associated spoken language use with depression, yet studies often involve small or non-clinical samples and face challenges in the manual transcription of speech. This paper aimed to automatically identify depression-related topics in speech recordings collected from clinical samples.

METHODS

The data included 3919 English free-response speech recordings collected via smartphones from 265 participants with a depression history. We transcribed speech recordings via automatic speech recognition (Whisper tool, OpenAI) and identified principal topics from transcriptions using a deep learning topic model (BERTopic). To identify depression risk topics and understand the context, we compared participants' depression severity and behavioral (extracted from wearable devices) and linguistic (extracted from transcribed texts) characteristics across identified topics.

RESULTS

From the 29 topics identified, we identified 6 risk topics for depression: 'No Expectations', 'Sleep', 'Mental Therapy', 'Haircut', 'Studying', and 'Coursework'. Participants mentioning depression risk topics exhibited higher sleep variability, later sleep onset, and fewer daily steps and used fewer words, more negative language, and fewer leisure-related words in their speech recordings.

LIMITATIONS

Our findings were derived from a depressed cohort with a specific speech task, potentially limiting the generalizability to non-clinical populations or other speech tasks. Additionally, some topics had small sample sizes, necessitating further validation in larger datasets.

CONCLUSION

This study demonstrates that specific speech topics can indicate depression severity. The employed data-driven workflow provides a practical approach for analyzing large-scale speech data collected from real-world settings.

Who Engaged in Home-Based Arts Activities During the COVID-19 Pandemic? A Cross-Sectional Analysis of Data From 4,731 Adults in the United States

Arts engagement is a health-related behavior that may be influenced by social inequalities. While the COVID-19 pandemic provided new opportunities for some people to engage in the arts, it might have created barriers for others. We aimed to examine whether there was social patterning in home-based arts engagement during the pandemic in the United States, and whether predictors of engagement differed according to the type of arts activity. We included 4,731 adults who participated in the United States COVID-19 Social Study between April and July 2020. Three types of home-based arts engagement were considered: reading for pleasure, arts or crafts activities, and digital arts activities. Using logistic regression models, we tested cross-sectional associations between a broad range of demographic, socioeconomic, psychosocial, and health-related factors as well as adverse events and worries during lockdown and each type of arts engagement. The factors most strongly associated with all three types of arts engagement were social support, social network size, age, race/ethnicity, keyworker status, and experiencing physical or psychological abuse during the pandemic. However, most socioeconomic and health-related factors were not associated with arts engagement, including household income and mental and physical health problems. Overall, our findings indicate that the social gradient in arts engagement was reduced in the first 4 months of the COVID-19 pandemic in the United States. Given the health benefits of arts engagement, the potential diversification of arts audiences during the pandemic is promising for both population-level health and wellbeing and the future of the arts and cultural sector.

Effects of participatory 'A'rt-Based Activity On 'Health' of Older Community-Dwellers: results from a randomized control trial of the Singapore A-Health Intervention

Introduction

The practice of participatory art has been found to support the promotion, prevention, and management of health across the lifespan. However, clinical trials investigating the benefits of creative activities curated with and conducted in museums among older adults in East Asia remains limited.

Methods

The current research utilized a single-site, open-label randomized control trial (RCT) to evaluate a standardized Participatory 'A'rt-Based Activity On 'Health' of Older Community-Dwellers - the Singapore A-Health Intervention. Outcome measures include frailty as assessed by the Centre of Excellence on Longevity Self-administered Questionnaire, wellbeing as assessed by the Warwick-Edinburgh Mental Wellbeing Scales, and quality of life as assessed by the EuroQol-5D. 112 participants aged 60 and above were randomized into the intervention group (n = 56) or an inactive control group (n = 56). Participants completed four standardized online self-administered assessments at baseline, 5-week, 9-week and 12-week follow-up during the intervention period.

Results

Linear mixed model analyses revealed no statistically significant differences between the intervention group and control group for all outcome measures. However, within the intervention group, a consistent significant reduction in frailty was observed across time from baseline to 9 weeks (MD -0.44, 95% CI -0.85 to -0.039, p = 0.032), 5-weeks to 9-weeks (MD -0.64, 95% CI -1.03 to -0.24, p = 0.002), and 5-weeks to 12-weeks (MD -0.51, 95% CI -0.91 to -0.10, p = 0.014). Moreover, the post-test mean wellbeing score in the intervention group significantly improved over time at 9-weeks (MD 1.65, 95% CI 0.09 to 3.22, p = 0.039) and 12-week (MD 2.42, 95% CI 0.67 to 4.16, p = 0.006) as compared to baseline scores.

Discussion

The findings demonstrate the potential of a structured art and museum-based intervention as a resource for promoting health among aging populations. Such benefits transcend social, cultural, and societal contexts.

Clinical trial registration

ClinicalTrial.gov, NCT05945589.

"I made you a small room in my heart": how therapeutic clowns meet the needs of older adults in nursing homes

Therapeutic clowns are increasingly common in nursing homes, where residents often encounter factors that can undermine their quality of life and dignity. We aimed to understand the strategies of successful therapeutic clowning with a diverse older adult population, and the unique contributions of elder-clowning to the nursing home experience. Using an interpretivist descriptive methodology, twenty-three (n=23) experienced therapeutic clowns from eight countries were interviewed to understand the needs of nursing home residents met by elder-clowns, and strategies and techniques the clowns use to address them. Participants identified five major needs: to escape routine; for reassurance of worth; for meaningful, personalized social interaction unrestricted by communication barriers; to have culturally meaningful opportunities for reminiscence; and to have a space where residents could be unapologetically themselves. The artistic and emotional strategies used by the therapeutic clowns to address these needs illustrate how creativity, imagination and relational presence can provide nursing home residents with a sense of being known and belonging. Elder-clowns also positively affect the nursing home staff and enrich the interpersonal interactions in the residence. Through their focus on the social and emotional needs of residents, elder-clowns can play an important and distinct role in creating an optimal nursing home experience.

Clothing the Clown: Creative Dressing in a Day-center for People with Dementia in the Netherlands

Creatief met clowns is a creative and art-based workshop for people living with dementia that invites participants to join in a collaborative process of creating an outfit and clothing a clown. In this article, I look at what happened in workshop sessions and how this mattered to those involved, including what participants with dementia valued about the activity - by listening to what they had to say, but also by attending to their performative, creative and affective ways of engaging in Creatief met Clowns. To further articulate values that came up in practice, I analyzed my findings in terms of the quality of psychosocial relations, the role of embodiment, material aspects, and playfulness in person-centered care. By combining an ethnographic study of art-based care-practice with a value-sensitive theoretical reflection on empirical findings, my approach offers an alternative to problematic efforts to quantify the value of art in person-centered dementia care.

The complex nature of boundary work in arts and health: a reflective journey in a social design project

BACKGROUND

There is an increased interest in the role artists can play in care for older people. This momentum comes with the need to closer investigate the nature of boundary work of creative professionals in arts and health projects.

METHODS

We conducted a responsive evaluation to provide a thick description of the boundary work involved in ENCOUNTER#9, an intergenerational arts project taking place within an older person care setting.

RESULTS

Boundary work proved to be rewarding, yet messy and unruly. Although the lead artist had carefully planned and prepared the project and gained a broad commitment, not everything went according to plan. This led to friction and all involved put effort into adjusting goals and expectations.

CONCLUSION

We add to the conceptualisation of boundary work in arts and health by showing that it takes place on different levels: personal, relational, organisational and public.

Creativity During COVID-19: Evaluating an Online TimeSlips Storytelling Program for People Living With Dementia During Quarantine in Colombia

BACKGROUND AND OBJECTIVES

Since its first implementation in 1998, evidence has been presented of the positive impact of the TimeSlips storytelling method for people with dementia in long-term care (LTC) settings. This article extends this evidence in important new directions: it is the longest TimeSlips study to date and the first to evaluate the feasibility of online delivery of the method (in response to the coronavirus disease 2019 [COVID-19] quarantine) and the impact of this on the personhood, quality of life, and psychological well-being of Spanish-speaking participants in non-LTC settings in the Global South.

RESEARCH DESIGN AND METHODS

Trained facilitators provided weekly, 1-hr TimeSlips sessions via Zoom over 32 consecutive weeks to 8 participants with dementia. Semistructured interviews of participants and care partners were conducted within 1 week of the final intervention. Thematic analysis evaluated the resultant qualitative data.

RESULTS

This online implementation of the TimeSlips creative expression (CE) method reinforced key facets of participants' personhood (self-expression and self-perception, which led in turn to increased care partner appreciation), had a positive impact on key domains of quality of life (mood, energy levels, and cognitive function), and stimulated a key aspect of psychological well-being (the formation and maintenance of social ties).

DISCUSSION AND IMPLICATIONS

The online delivery of the TimeSlips method to participants who remain in their own homes is feasible and effective. Future research should compare the benefits of online versus face-to-face delivery of this CE method.

A Systematic Review of the Effect of Arts-Based Interventions on Patient Care in Nigeria

The utilization of art for therapeutic purposes in the formal healthcare setting is gradually gaining prominence in Nigeria. However, there is a paucity of evidence on the effectiveness of these interventions. Therefore, we explored the pooled effect of the various arts-based interventions in managing clinical disorders in hospitalized and out-patients in Nigeria. An electronic search of PubMed, African Journal Online, Web of Science, Google Scholar, Cochrane Library, and Scopus databases was carried out from the inception of the databases to October 31, 2021. Three researchers using Rayyan QCRI software independently screened and de-duplicated the identified studies. Eight eligible studies were selected for this review, with a total of 541 participants. The earliest study was published in 2012. Seven of the eight studies were conducted in the Southern part of Nigeria. There were four quasi-experimental studies, two randomized controlled trials, and two comparative cross-sectional studies. The predominant art forms were music (three) and dance/movement (three), followed by visual art (two). The groups of patients in the identified studies were managed for mental health problems (two), hypertension (two), Parkinson's disease (one), spinal cord injury (one), autistic spectrum disorder (one), and chronic back pain (one). In all the studies, the art-based intervention significantly improved the overall outcome of the patients. The findings of the available studies have proven to yield a significant positive outcome in managing different health conditions. However, there is a need to conduct more high-quality research in this field in Nigeria.

How participatory arts can contribute to dutch older adults' wellbeing - revisiting a taxonomy of arts interventions for people with dementia

BACKGROUND

A growing body of evidence suggests the positive impact of arts on health and wellbeing. The mechanisms underlying the impact however, remain overlooked.

METHODS

38 Semi-structured interviews were held with 30 older adults and 10 artists, involved in five participatory art projects in the Netherlands. Case-based framework and cross-over analyses were done on the basis of Cousins et al.'s taxonomy.

RESULTS

Participatory art initiatives contributed to the wellbeing of older adults in a complex interplay with the artist, art form, group of participants, material aspects and continuity of activities. A welcoming environment appeared a consistent underlying mechanism for participants to grow on a personal and artistic level, connect with others and feel supported in their psychosocial wellbeing.

CONCLUSION

This article demonstrates the important social function participatory art can have for older adults, and argues for the importance of a thorough consideration of the context wherein underlying mechanisms and outcomes emerge.

Engagement in leisure activities and depression in older adults in the United States: Longitudinal evidence from the Health and Retirement Study

Background

Receptive cultural engagement (e.g. attending theaters and museums) can reduce depression in older adults. However, whether specific participatory leisure activities are associated with lower rates of depression remains unknown. We aimed to test whether engagement in a diverse range of leisure activities, all of which could involve artistic or creative elements, was associated with concurrent and subsequent depression.

Methods

Using longitudinal data from 19,134 participants aged over 50 in the Health and Retirement Study, engagement in leisure activities was measured every four years, and depression every two years, between 2008 and 2016. Leisure activities included: reading books, magazines, or newspapers; writing; baking/cooking something special; making clothes, knitting, or embroidery (sewing); working on hobbies/projects; going to sport, social, or other clubs; and attending non-religious organization meetings. A score of three or more on the Center for Epidemiologic Studies Depression Scale indicated depression. We fitted population-averaged panel data models using generalized estimating equations with a logit link.

Results

Engaging in some leisure activities, such as clubs, hobbies/projects, and baking/cooking was associated with reduced depression, independent of confounders. Concurrently, spending time on hobbies/projects (monthly OR = 0.80, 95% CI = 0.72–0.88; weekly OR = 0.81, 95% CI = 0.73–0.89) and clubs (monthly OR = 0.85, 95% CI = 0.77–0.94; weekly OR = 0.78, 95% CI = 0.69–0.88) was associated with lower odds of depression versus not engaging. Longitudinally, the odds of depression two years later were reduced amongst people engaging in weekly baking/cooking (OR = 0.85, 95% CI = 0.75–0.95), hobbies (OR = 0.81, 95% CI = 0.71–0.92), and clubs (OR = 0.82, 95% CI = 0.71–0.94). Writing, reading, sewing, and attending non-religious organizations were not consistently associated with depression.

Conclusions

Engagement in some leisure activities is associated with reduced odds of depression. We should consider how older adults can be supported to actively participate in leisure activities as health-promoting behaviors.

•

Some leisure activities associated with reduced odds of depression in older adults.

•

Going to sport, social, or other clubs most strongly associated with less depression.

•

Doing hobbies/projects and baking/cooking something special also associated.

•

No evidence that more artistic or creative activities were associated with depression.

Benefits of Cultural Activities on People With Cognitive Impairment: A Systematic Review

Museums and cultural institutions are increasingly striving to respond to the interests and needs of the society that hosts them. This means, apart from other actions, that these institutions must be involved in the health and wellbeing of society, and the creation of cultural activities aimed at people with cognitive impairment, a group of individuals that is growing worldwide due to the aging of society and the increasing prevalence of dementia. The involved sectors are aware of the potential and benefits of activities for this population, even though there is much research to be conducted. To date, no systematic review has focused on the benefits of cultural activities for cognitively impaired people. This study aimed to explore the benefits of different modalities of cultural activities with evidence from 145 studies from various databases, which met the inclusion criteria. Significant improvements in general cognition, quality of life (QoL), emotional wellbeing, socialization, and communication were generally reported after interventions, with a reduction in depression symptoms. There was not enough evidence to prove memory, language, or daily functioning improvements attributable to cultural interventions. There were no significant reductions reported in apathy, sadness, agitation, or anxiety.

The role of collaborative working between the arts and care sectors in successfully delivering participatory arts activities for older people in residential care settings

In the UK support for older people living in residential care to undertake meaningful activities is provided by Activities Co-ordinators. There is also a growing trend for care home providers to invite arts organisations into care settings to deliver a range of arts and cultural activities. These arts and cultural activities are delivered by Arts Facilitators, who are distinct from Activities Co-ordinators because their practice is specifically in an art form. This paper presents findings from the Creative Journeys research project which focused on exploring the role of participatory arts within residential care home in developing and maintaining social relationships between residents and staff. One of the objectives of the research was to identify factors which facilitated or hindered the delivery and impact of the activities. Data collection methods included observations and semi-structured interviews with residents and staff. Thematic analysis was conducted on the qualitative data. It was found that a key factor in the successful delivery of the groups was the working relationship between the Arts Facilitators and the Activities Co-ordinators. This relationship is explored and presented under three main themes: the collaborative process, practicalities and preparation and the approach of the Arts Facilitator. The Activities Co-ordinators' role is an under-researched area, but they play a central role in supporting visiting arts organisations to deliver the sessions and in enabling residents to attend and engage with meaningful activities.

ArtontheBrain: Results of a Pilot Project Among Long-Term Care Residents

For long-term care (LTC) residents, multiple barriers impede access to formal museum-based participa-tory art programming. Capitalizing on available technologies may circumvent common barriers and improve quality of life for those older adults even in the presence of dementia. Targets: A convenience sample of 31 older adults was recruited from the population of residents in one LTC facility. Intervention: ArtontheBrain, a web-based program, engages participants in activities centered on visual artwork, enabling users to learn about artists through activities, such as puzzles, storytelling, and group discussions. Mechanisms of Action: Researchers hypothesized that engagement with ArtontheBrain would benefit perceived quality of life in the domains of meaningful activity engagement and personal relationships and secondarily, improvements in functional performance, mood state, and cognitive performance may occur. Outcomes: Application of a quality of life survey pre and post ArtontheBrain intervention revealed significant improvements within the individual subsample for two activity options: engagement in enjoyable activities on weekends and evenings and explore new skills and interests. Total scores for the personal relationship scale had significant improvements post-intervention for the individual and group subsamples. The individual subsample demonstrated improvement in cognitive performance, which worsened for the group subsample. Mood and functional ability worsened for the entire sample.[Research in Gerontological Nursing, 14(5), 235-243.].

The Value of Active Arts Engagement on Health and Well-Being of Older Adults: A Nation-Wide Participatory Study

An emerging body of research indicates that active arts engagement can enhance older adults' health and experienced well-being, but scientific evidence is still fragmented. There is a research gap in understanding arts engagement grounded in a multidimensional conceptualization of the value of health and well-being from older participants' perspectives. This Dutch nation-wide study aimed to explore the broader value of arts engagement on older people's perceived health and well-being in 18 participatory arts-based projects (dance, music, singing, theater, visual arts, video, and spoken word) for community-dwelling older adults and those living in long term care facilities. In this study, we followed a participatory design with narrative- and arts-based inquiry. We gathered micro-narratives from older people and their (in)formal caregivers (n = 470). The findings demonstrate that arts engagement, according to participants, resulted in (1) positive feelings, (2) personal and artistic growth, and (3) increased meaningful social interactions. This study concludes that art-based practices promote older people's experienced well-being and increase the quality of life of older people. This study emphasizes the intrinsic value of arts engagement and has implications for research and evaluation of arts engagement.

Subjective experiences of participatory arts engagement of healthy older people and explorations of creative ageing

OBJECTIVES

The aim of this article was to report findings from a qualitative focus group study conducted to understand the subjective experiences of community-dwelling healthy older people engaging in a range of participatory arts activities. The article also uses the participants' voices to consider nuances and interconnections of themes to unpack the complexities of 'participatory arts' engagement and support a conceptualisation of 'creative ageing'.

STUDY DESIGN

This study involved qualitative focus group interviews.

METHODS

Focus group interviews were conducted with five groups of healthy older people (aged ≥50 years) living in the community (i.e. not in residential care settings). Participants were recruited through self-selected sampling, and on the basis of self-reporting, no diagnosis of ill-health. Focus group interviews were digitally recorded and analysed using thematic analysis. Themes developed from a systematic review of participatory arts for promoting well-being in later life conducted previously by the author were used as the stimulus for conversation in the focus groups. Interviews were not transcribed, rather pseudonymised quotations are used to support the themes. The study also explored barriers to participation, although these findings are not reported here.

RESULTS

Subjective experiences of participatory arts engagement of healthy older people focused on everyday creativity and reflections on the term 'participation', which challenge the traditional focus of arts and health research on the effects of active engagement. Healthy older people experienced a sense of achievement and 'flow' through creative engagement, which led to opportunities for social interaction and developing a sense of purpose. Through transitions of ageing, older people found creative ways of rediscovering their identity in later life, which supported resilience and highlighted a connection between body, mind and soul.

CONCLUSIONS

Findings suggest that participation in everyday creative experiences can lead to a sense of achievement and purpose, which provides support and structure in the construction of changing identity in later life. Participatory arts engagement is particularly instrumental during transitions of ageing. This study provides a conceptualisation of 'creative ageing' which challenges traditional ideas of 'participatory arts' and audience engagement by focusing on subjectivities of the participant voice. The framework moves debate beyond a focus on the efficacy of arts engagement to consider the relevance of subjective experiences of everyday creativity in later life.

Impact of the EU Blue Card programme on cultural participation and subjective well-being of migrants in Germany

The first aim of this study is to investigate the role of the EU Blue Card programme implemented in 2012 in Germany. In particular, we aim to explore the impact on the participation in cultural activities of first-generation non-European Union (EU) and non-European Economic Area (EEA) migrants, such as attendance to cinema, concerts and theatre. The second aim is to examine the impact of cultural activities on subjective well-being (SWB), measured by life satisfaction. We compare the cultural participation and life satisfaction between the treatment group that is the non-EU/EEA first-generation immigrants and the control group that consists, not only of natives and second-generation immigrants but also composes of EU/EEA first-generation immigrants who are not eligible to the programme. We will apply a sharp and a fuzzy regression discontinuity design (RDD) within a seemingly unrelated regression equations (SURE) system using the Ordered Probit method. The empirical analysis relies on data from the German Socio-Economic Panel (GSOEP) survey over the period 2015–2018. The results show that the treated subjects experience an increase in cultural participation activities and an improvement in their SWB, as a result of the EU Blue Card programme, compared to the control group. Participation in classical music performance, opera or theatre influences more the SWB compared to other cultural activities. Policies that promote labour market integration and participation in cultural activities will enable immigrants to integrate into the social norms of the host societies and improve their SWB.

Effects of participatory art-based painting workshops in geriatric inpatients: results of a non-randomized open label trial

BACKGROUND

Art-based activities like painting workshops demonstrated health benefits in older individuals living in home care facilities. Few studies examined the effects of painting workshops in geriatric inpatients.

AIM

The study aims to examine whether the participation in painting workshops performed in patients admitted to a geriatric acute care ward reduced the number of medications taken daily, use of psychoactive medications, the length of stay and inhospital mortality.

METHODS

Based on a non-randomized open label trial, 79 inpatients who participated in painting workshops and 79 control inpatients were recruited in the geriatric acute care ward of the Jewish general hospital (Montreal, Quebec, Canada). Four outcomes were used: the number of medications taken daily and use of psychoactive medications the day of discharge to geriatric acute care ward, the length of hospital stay and inhospital mortality.

RESULTS

The participation in Painting workshops were associated with a lower number of medications taken daily at discharge (Coefficient of regression β =  - 1.35 with P = 0.001) and lower inhospital mortality (odd ratio (OR) = 0.09 with P = 0.031). No significant association was reported with use of psychoactive medications and length of stay.

CONCLUSION

The participation in painting workshops reduced the number of medications taken daily and incident inhospital mortality in geriatric inpatients admitted to a geriatric acute care ward, suggested a positive effect on health condition of this participatory art-based activity.

Association between Frailty and Erectile Dysfunction among Chinese Elderly Men

Objective

This study is aimed at assessing association between frailty and erectile dysfunction among Chinese elderly men.

Methods

This community-based study was conducted with a sample of 341 Chinese elderly men (aged 60 to 83 years old) in Fuyang City (Anhui Province, China). Each of the participants completed a standard questionnaire, including demographics (age, height, weight, yearly income, educational status, comorbidity, lifestyle factors, etc.), medical and sexual history, and the Chinese version of Tilburg Frailty Indicator (TFI) and International Index of Erectile Function-5 (IIEF-5) for assessing frailty and erectile dysfunction (ED).

Results

The prevalence of ED and frailty in Chinese elderly men was 77.13% and 68.04%, respectively. Compared with the non-ED group, the ED group had increased age, spouse's age, BMI, prevalence of diabetes, and scores of TFI and lower yearly income, educational levels, and ratio of irregular intercourse (less than once per week) (all P < 0.05). Multivariate analysis indicated that age (OR: 0.860, 95% CI: 0.763-0.969), diabetes (OR: 0.330, 95% CI: 0.165-0.661), irregular intercourse (OR: 3.416, 95% CI: 1.874-6.229), and scores of TFI (OR: 0.906, 95% CI: 0.846-0.970) were regarded as independent risk factors for ED (all P < 0.05). And after adjusting for age, the TFI score had a negative significant association with the IIEF score (r = −0.134, P = 0.013).

Conclusion

This study confirmed the strong associations between ED and frailty among elderly men. Sexual health care for elderly men with ED should be assessed and taken addressed on the multidimensional assessments of frailty.

The impact of participatory arts in promoting social relationships for older people within care homes

AIMS

Loneliness and social isolation negatively affect wellbeing and quality of life. Despite the proximity of others, older people living in care homes often experience loneliness and social isolation. The impact of participatory arts on wellbeing is widely acknowledged; however, relational impacts have received less attention. This article explores the impact of participatory arts in care homes on the social relationships between older people and older people and care staff.

METHODS

'Creative Journeys', an initiative led by Essex County Council, provides opportunities for older people living in care homes to participate in arts activities. In this study, three arts organisations (reminiscence arts, seated dance, and orchestral music participation) delivered participatory arts in three homes. Stage 1 of the research comprised mixed-methods case studies in each home. Stage 2 involved an online survey across care homes in Essex to provide a broader perspective, with follow-up interviews in three further homes, and a focus group with the arts organisations. Findings presented here focus on the qualitative data around the impact of participatory arts on the social relationships in care homes between older people and older people and care staff.

RESULTS

Participatory arts enhanced social relationships between older people and between older people and care staff in care homes. Through engagement in shared experiences leading to increased communication and interaction, participatory arts facilitated social connectedness between residents, and changed the relationship dynamics between older people and care staff, thus promoting reciprocity.

CONCLUSION

Participatory arts enable older people to express themselves creatively, and make meaningful contributions to their social relationships. Policy makers and those working in the care sector should consider including participatory arts as an integral and necessary component of quality care for older people living in care homes.

Arts, mental distress, mental health functioning & life satisfaction: fixed-effects analyses of a nationally-representative panel study

BACKGROUND

Arts engagement within communities is ubiquitous across cultures globally and previous research has suggested its benefits for mental health and wellbeing. However, it remains unclear whether these benefits are driven by arts engagement itself or by important confounders such as socio-economic status (SES), childhood arts engagement, previous mental health, personality, or self-selection bias. The aim of this study is to use fixed effects models that account for unidentified time-constant confounding measures to examine the longitudinal association between arts (frequency of both arts participation and cultural attendance), mental distress, mental health functioning and life satisfaction.

METHODS

Data from 23,660 individuals (with a mean age of 47 years) included in the UK Understanding Society wave 2 (2010-2012) and wave 5 (2013-2015) were analyzed. Aside from controlling for all time-constant variables using fixed-effects models, we additionally adjusted for time-varying demographic factors (e.g. age and marital status), health behaviors and social support variables.

RESULTS

After controlling for all time-constant variables and identified time-varying confounders, frequent arts participation and cultural attendance were associated with lower levels of mental distress and higher levels of life satisfaction, with arts participation additionally associated with better mental health functioning. Health-related and social time-varying factors were shown partly but not wholly to explain the observed associations.

CONCLUSION

Arts engagement amongst the population as a whole may help enhance positive mental health and life satisfaction, and protect against mental distress. These results are independent of a wide range of time-constant confounding factors.