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.

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.

AimTo investigate the perspectives of Dutch care professionals, parents and experts by experience on gender dynamics in paediatric type 1 diabetes care.DesignQualitative research design.MethodsFifteen semi‐structured interviews were held with care professionals, supplemented by two focus groups with parents of children with diabetes (n = 12 parents) and three semi‐structured interviews with two experts by experience and a mother. Two respondent validation interviews were conducted, one with two care professionals and one with an expert by experience. Participant observations were conducted at three clinics, a diabetes sports day, weekend for young people and their families, and a high‐school. An inductive framework analysis was done, informed by relational theory on gender.ResultsCare professionals ‘did’ and ‘made’ gender differences together with young people, manifesting as communicative difficulties, in particular between female care professionals and young boys. Boys were considered less skilled in articulating their needs compared to girls. At home, care professionals and parents observed, ‘did’ and ‘made’ gender differences by perpetuating gendered divisions of labour. As traditional caretakers, mothers risk focusing excessively on the diabetes of their child whilst fathers remained more at a distance.ConclusionGender patterns have negative implications on those involved in paediatric type 1 diabetes. Leaving tacit the gendered communicative issues across child–parent and child‐care professional dyads, can sustain invisible friction in a care system that normatively expects verbal participation and increased self‐management.Implications for the Profession and Patient CareFindings may encourage care professionals and parents to engage with the potential impact of gender dynamics on diabetes practices. Incorporating these dynamics as conversational tools would contribute to improving type 1 diabetes care for young people.