Psychosocial Benefits of Cooking Interventions: A Systematic Review

Abstract

Objectives Cooking interventions are used in therapeutic and rehabilitative settings; however, little is known about the influence of these interventions on psychosocial outcomes. This systematic review examines the research evidence regarding the influence of cooking interventions on psychosocial outcomes. Methods A systematic review of the literature examined peer-reviewed research using Embase, PubMed, CINALH Plus, and PsychInfo with the following search terms: cooking, culinary, baking, food preparation, cookery, occupational therapy, mental health, mood, psychosocial, affect, confidence, self-confidence, self-esteem, socialization, and rehabilitation. Inclusion criteria were the following: adults, English, influence of cooking interventions on psychosocial outcomes. PRISMA guidelines were used. Results The search yielded 377 articles; and 11 ultimately met inclusion criteria and were reviewed. Generally, the quality of the research was weak due to nonrandomization, unvalidated research tools, and small sample sizes. However, inpatient and community-based cooking interventions yielded positive influences on socialization, self-esteem, quality of life, and affect. Conclusions Finding benefits to cooking that extend beyond nutritional may be helpful in increasing motivation and frequency of cooking. This review suggests that cooking interventions may positively influence psychosocial outcomes, although this evidence is preliminary and limited. Further qualitative and rigorous quantitative research are needed to identify mechanisms by which cooking interventions may improve psychosocial outcomes.

How do patients and carers make sense of renal dietary advice? A qualitative exploration

“…These findings suggest that to facilitate sensemaking for patients, it is important for dietetic services to be attentive to meeting the renal diet information needs of carers (Pratt & Searles 2017;Verseput & Piccoli 2017), by routinely inviting and involving them in education sessions . Specific carer training about the renal diet (such as cooking or meal preparation classes) may also be of use, because it may help to reduce carer burden and improve psychosocial outcomes for both patients and carers (Tong et al 2008;Farmer et al). The third facilitator of renal diet sensemaking, identified in the current study, involved the use of strategies to solve renal diet related problems.…”

“…Specific carer training about the renal diet (such as cooking or meal preparation classes) may also be of use, because it may help to reduce carer burden and improve psychosocial outcomes for both patients and carers (Tong et al . ; Farmer et al). The third facilitator of renal diet sensemaking, identified in the current study, involved the use of strategies to solve renal diet related problems.…”

Create Our Own Kai: A Randomised Control Trial of a Cooking Intervention with Group Interview Insights into Adolescent Cooking Behaviours

“…Cooking intervention research is looking beyond diet-and cooking-related outcomes to psychosocial implications [11,26,33]. Adolescent cooking ability has observationally been associated with greater mental well-being and family connectedness, along with fewer depressive symptoms [34], however this is yet to be investigated in an experimental setting.…”

Psychosocial rehabilitation:a model by Rajah Rehabilitation Centre

“…Culinary therapy also helps to improve social skills, time management skills, relief from boredom and cognitive skills. 3 Culinary skills training at RRC includes the introduction of cooking skills, vegetable & fruits cutting, preparation of food items like meals, snacks, cool drinks etc., garnishing the dishes and serving.…”