Effects of creative museum outreach sessions on measures of confidence, sociability and well-being for mental health and addiction recovery service-users

Abstract

Background: The study examined the effects of museum outreach sessions on confidence, sociability and wellbeing measures for mental health (n=85) and addiction recovery (n=59) service-users taking an asset-based approach and research design. Method: Both groups participated in weekly outreach sessions combining object handling and museum visits with arts and craft activities. Using mixed methods, measures of confidence, sociability and wellbeing were evaluated quantitatively through a 'ladder of change' model of steps towards independence and feedback was analysed qualitatively. Results: Comparison of scores from first, mid and last sessions showed increases across all measures. Qualitative analysis revealed additional gains including pride, learning and skills, and creativity. Findings were interpreted in terms of social capital, independence and resilience. Conclusions: Creative museum activities showed increases in participant levels of confidence, sociability and wellbeing. The study highlighted the potential of asset-based approaches augmenting research on the value of museum activities to health and wellbeing.

Is there room for resilience? A scoping review and critique of substance use literature and its utilization of the concept of resilience

“… [ 130 ] Moon et al, 2000; ( n = 609); US • 7th grade students Resiliency perspective focuses on enhancing those factors thought to protect against or reduce substance use (Norman, 1995). [ 181 ] Morse et al, 2015; ( n = 59); UK • Art program for addiction recovery service users [ 110 ] O’Donnell et al, 2002; ( n = 2600); US • Students (6th, 8th, 10th grade) exposed to community violence Resilience defined as the ability to cope effectively with stress and to exhibit an unusual degree of psychological strength for one’s age and set of circumstances Werner, 1984). The definition has been expanded in newer studies to include successful coping in specific domains, including both behavioural and emotional arenas (Luthar 1991, 1993; Luthar and Zigler 1991).…”

“…The key to a more holistic and contextualized approach to resilience research may be to provide equal attention to external protective factors (e.g., social support, family assistance, community programs, enculturation), and consider the mechanisms and interactions between the individual and their potential resources through which resilience can be built/maintained [ 108 , 143 , 146 ]. In fact, resilience-based recovery programs and interventions, focusing on both internal strengths (e.g., confidence, inner spirit, pride, creativity, developing new skills) and external resources (e.g., community supports, social interaction, cultural participation, aftercare), are currently being developed and evaluated [ 102 , 143 , 170 , 172 , 181 ].…”

“…The problem lies in the fact that recovery from addiction is adjudicated on separate and highly moral grounds. For instance, the recovery model for mental health problems considers success as attaining an “improved quality of life within the limitations caused by the presence of illness” ([ 181 ], p. 233), whereas success for addiction recovery is measured by a significant reduction, if not a total abstinence from drug use [ 197 ]. Since recovery is typically synonymous with abstinence from drug use, acknowledging this as the only practice of resilience open to PWUD essentially corroborates the limited view that resilience is the absence of drug use, espousing a viewpoint that already dominates in this literature.…”

Cultural engagement and incident depression in older adults: evidence from the English Longitudinal Study of Ageing

“…This has included studies of active cultural engagement (such as singing, dancing or doing artistic activities) [13][14][15] and receptive cultural engagement (such as visiting museums and galleries). 16,17 However, to date, much of this research has centred on the impact of cultural engagement on recovery for people with depression or on depressive symptomatology in the general population. There remains little research into whether cultural engagement can itself act as a risk-reducing factor for the development of depression, and therefore play a preventative role.…”

Barriers and enablers to engagement in participatory arts activities amongst individuals with depression and anxiety: quantitative analyses using a behaviour change framework

“…Social exclusion has been well researched in relation to mental illness [16,17]. Although arts activities have been found to reduce these feelings [18][19][20] it is possible that such feelings could act as an initial barrier to engagement. This is certainly suggested by studies focusing specifically on depression-related stigma when engaging in arts activities, which have shown that individuals with poor mental health report perceived barriers to arts engagement, such as a fear of being patronised [21].…”