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Id 696
Author Thomson L.J., Morse N., Elsden E., Chatterjee H.J.
Title Art, nature and mental health: assessing the biopsychosocial effects of a ‘creative green prescription’ museum programme involving horticulture, artmaking and collections
Reference
Thomson L.J., Morse N., Elsden E., Chatterjee H.J.; Art, nature and mental health: assessing the biopsychosocial effects of a ‘creative green prescription’ museum programme involving horticulture, artmaking and collections ;Perspectives in Public Health vol:140 issue: 5.0 page:277

Link to article https://www.scopus.com/inward/record.uri?eid=2-s2.0-85085355604&doi=10.1177%2f1757913920910443&partnerID=40&md5=950cc736ef44b3c4f2cece7e200968a4
Abstract Aims: To assess the biopsychosocial effects of participation in a unique, combined arts- and nature-based museum intervention, involving engagement with horticulture, artmaking and museum collections, on adult mental health service users. Methods: Adult mental health service users (total n = 46 across two phases) with an average age of 53 were referred through social prescribing by community partners (mental health nurse and via a day centre for disadvantaged and vulnerable adults) to a 10-week ‘creative green prescription’ programme held in Whitworth Park and the Whitworth Art Gallery. The study used an exploratory sequential mixed methods design comprising two phases – Phase 1 (September to December 2016): qualitative research investigating the views of participants (n = 26) through semi-structured interviews and diaries and Phase 2 (February to April 2018): quantitative research informed by Phase 1 analysing psychological wellbeing data from participants (n = 20) who completed the UCL Museum Wellbeing Measure pre–post programme. Results: Inductive thematic analysis of Phase 1 interview data revealed increased feelings of wellbeing brought about by improved self-esteem, decreased social isolation and the formation of communities of practice. Statistical analysis of pre–post quantitative measures in Phase 2 found a highly significant increase in psychological wellbeing. Conclusion: Creative green prescription programmes, using a combination of arts- and nature-based activities, present distinct synergistic benefits that have the potential to make a significant impact on the psychosocial wellbeing of adult mental health service users. Museums with parks and gardens should consider integrating programmes of outdoor and indoor collections-inspired creative activities permitting combined engagement with nature, art and wellbeing. © Royal Society for Public Health 2020.

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Summary:



Art, nature and mental health: assessing the biopsychosocial effects of a ‘creative green prescription’ museum programme involving horticulture, artmaking and collections. The sense of community was enabled by knowledge of shared experience but notably this was not the main focus of the programme; rather it was the types of activity and the non-clinical indoor and outdoor spaces of the museum that supported a sense of community first and foremost. It was interesting that all of the six mood items on the Wellbeing Measure increased significantly after the -week programme particularly Excited and Inspired that linked into the overall creative and outdoor experience of the intervention. As such and drawing on the wider literature it can be speculated that the combined programme also had some physical health benefits though these were not measured directly. While this intra-group sharing did not necessarily improve participants relationships with people outside of their groups in the wider community it could provide an area for further study.


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