MESOC Serapeum | Where culture meets AI

Id		118
Author		Wheatley, D.; Bickerton, C.
Title		Measuring changes in subjective well‑being from engagement in the arts, culture and sport
Reference		Wheatley, D.; Bickerton, C. (2019) Measuring changes in subjective well‐being from engagement in the arts, culture and sport, Journal of Cultural Economics (2019) 43:421–442.
Link to article		https://doi.org/10.1007/s10824-019-09342-7
Abstract		This paper considers change in subjective well-being from engagement in leisure activities, encompassing the arts, culture and sport. Using UK data from waves 2 (2010–2011) and 5 (2013–2014) of Understanding Society, ordered logit, generalized ordered logit, ANCOVA and change score analysis assesses the effects of changing levels of engagement in leisure activities on four measures of subjective well-being, satisfaction with life overall, amount of leisure time, health and job. We find positive changes in (1) life satisfaction from increased engagement in arts events, historical sites and museums, (2) leisure satisfaction from arts activities and events, (3) health satisfaction from arts events and historical sites and (4) well-being measures from increased participation in moderate- and mild-intensity sport. Benefits do not translate to job satisfaction, suggesting a separation of this domain of well-being from leisure. Our analysis suggests important, but differentiated, positive change in well-being from greater engagement in the arts, culture and sport.

Results:

Candidate transition variables
We find positive changes in (1) life satisfaction from increased engagement in arts events, historical sites and museums, (2) leisure satisfaction from arts activities and events, (3) health satisfaction from arts events and historical sites and (4) well-being measures from increased participation in moderate- and mild-intensity sport. .
We find positive subjective well-being impacts arising from greater engagement in arts, cultural and sporting activities. .
The results also suggest that well-being benefits from increased engagement in arts, culture and sport are particularly positive for satisfaction with leisure time, as we might expect given these activities are engaged with during leisure time. .
In doing so, the analysis provides insight into the impact of the arts, culture and sport on overall well-being as well as reported satisfaction with specific domains of life. .
A number of studies have shown positive contributions from the following activities to subjective well-being: music and creative art activities (Cohen 2009; Cameron et al. 2013; Creech et al. 2013; Green 2016; Wang and Wong 2014, p. 100; Wood and Smith 2004) which may act as a source of inspiration and motivation, as well as influencing identity (Green 2016); museum visits, which are associated with benefits to psychological well-being, social interaction, relaxation and stress reduction (Chatterjee and Noble 2013; Packer 2008); libraries, which have been suggested to offer potential mental health benefits, e.g. use of books in therapy (Fanner and Urquhart 2008); and sport, recreational exercise and fitness which generates well-being benefits through mental and physical stimulation, and social capital and affiliation benefits associated with the enhancement of social networks (Cabinet Office 2015; Downward and Ras-ciute 2011; Hamer et al. 2009; Kavetsos 2011; Nichols et al. 2012; Schuttoff et al. 2018; Taylor et al. 2015). .
Leisure satisfaction benefits are also found arising from higher levels of engagement in arts activities and events, historical sites and both moderate and mild sports. .
The ANCOVA and change score analysis finds positive changes in (1) life satisfaction from increased engagement in arts events, historical sites and museums, (2) leisure satisfaction from arts activities and events, (3) health satisfaction from arts events and historical sites, and (4) benefits to well-being measures from increased participation in sport, especially that which involves more active engagement. .
Our analysis suggests important, but differentiated, positive change in well-being from greater engagement in the arts, culture and sport..
This paper contributes to understanding of the well-being impacts of changes in engagement in leisure activities, encompassing the arts, culture and sport. .
Their results suggest that cultural activities, including visiting exhibitions, attending the theatre, reading books and attending concerts, contribute significantly to higher levels of reported well-being. .
This strengthens arguments for increased availability and access to the arts, culture and sport, highlighted in existing research as an important factor in mediating relative subjective well-being impacts of leisure activities. .
In addition to the findings suggesting a number of subjective well-being benefits may be derived from changes in engagement in the arts, culture and sport, we further extend the literature on the well-being impacts of these leisure activities by identifying that these impacts are differentiated by type of activity and measure of well-being. .
They also highlight the benefits of active participation, including health benefits associated with sports, and social interaction benefits of both sport and more active involvement in the arts. .
The results in Model 1, which considers life satisfaction, suggest that engagement with the arts, through both arts activities and events, has a positive and statistically significant relationship with life satisfaction. .
In some cases, though, the results may simply reflect the activity itself, e.g. the relationship observed between being more physically active through participation in sport and health satisfaction. .
The empirical findings have a number of implications for research into well-being and that which considers the value of arts, culture and sport. .
2.2 The arts, culture and sport Research focusing specifically on the arts and culture is indicative of a number of positive relationships with well-being. .
The differentiated impacts present in the results for specific well-being domains further suggest that engagement in a range of activities, and those involving more active participation, may be beneficial for individuals if they are to maximize the potential well-being benefits which can be derived from their leisure time. .
Research has found that more frequent participation in certain activities, e.g. arts activities and sport, may generate more positive effects on well-being (Kavetsos 2011) or in some cases be necessary to generate well-being benefits. .
Acknowledging these limitations, this paper has contributed to our understanding by providing evidence of the positive and differentiated impacts on subjective well-being of greater engagement in a range of arts, cultural and sporting leisure activities..
While the findings alone cannot provide a rationale for continued or extended funding of these activities, they are clear in evidencing a number of positive impacts on reported well-being which does correspond to the argued societal benefits of the arts, culture and sport. .
This finding could reflect the benefits of social interaction associated with the networks developed and maintained through more active involvement in the arts (Nichols et al. 2012). .
Finally, in model 4 arts activities have a positive relationship with job satisfaction. .

ARTICLE - CANDIDATE TRANSITION VARIABLES

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