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For a sample of some of the research in this field, see the suggested reading below.
Each month, we will add a sample of new papers to the list. You can recommend papers by tweeting them @NetworkMARCH
Recommended articles for January 2021:
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A systematic review of social group interventions for depression has found they are an effective non-clinical approach to manage mild to moderate symptoms in a variety of populations
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A systematic review of creative arts interventions has found that music and art may offer a range of psychosocial benefits for older informal caregivers of people with neurological conditions
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Group music making has been shown to support the wellbeing of nursing home residents, offering engagement and novelty in daily life and facilitating interpersonal relationships.
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Patient-preferred live music has been found to improve positive affect and decrease pain in adults hospitalised on a post-surgical oncology unit
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Ornamental plants introduced to urban residential gardens can have a positive effect on residents’ stress regulation and some aspects of subjective well-being
Previously recommended articles:
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Creative group interventions with theatre-based components improve positive mental health in community-dwelling older adults
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Group singing for carers of people with Parkinson’s Disease can fulfil basic psychological needs
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Volunteering is associated with improvements in the wellbeing of older people, particularly if people engage in multiple different volunteering activities
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12-week programmes of art workshops as part of arts-on-prescription services can improve contentment, calmness and alertness for adults aged 25-75
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Group music and movement classes as part of music early learning services can support emotional development in young children and promote parental wellbeing
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Arts and cultural engagement vary geographically, such as in relation to neighbourhood characteristics (e.g. level of area deprivation)
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Gardens and gardening can improve the health and wellbeing of people with a range of health and social needs
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Barriers and enablers to social prescribing for patients with mental health problems have been elucidated, recommending a more systematic feedback structure for GPs and more formal training around social prescribing
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Combined arts- and nature-based museum interventions can improve psychosocial wellbeing for adult mental health service users
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Four pathways by which music participation supports mental wellbeing have been identified: managing and expressing emotions, facilitating self-development, providing respite, and facilitating connections
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Horticulture and creating art programmes can increase self-esteem and wellbeing and decrease social isolation in adults with mental illness.
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Community and voluntary sector representatives need longer term funding, training on commissioning, mental health support and safeguarding to help them to support people with mental illnesses.
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Community-level civic participation is associated with lower depressive symptoms in men and women and can help to protect against depression in men who are widowed or living alone.
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Emotional “buy-in” from all stakeholders is an essential component of success for a developing rural social prescribing scheme
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Engaging in adventure nature activities (“nature and adventure tourism”) is reported to have emotional benefits, improve recovery from stress and enhance one’s worldview
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Participating in a community choir can reduce loneliness amongst older adults from diverse ethnic backgrounds
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Participating in more hours of leisure time physical activity is associated with a lower risk of depression
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A weekly participatory art-based activity at a museum can improve wellbeing, quality of life and frailty in older adults
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Participating in singing groups improves vocal loudness, voice-related quality of life and reduces anxiety in adults with Parkinson’s Disease, and reduces stress and depression in their caregivers
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Participating in and exhibiting art can help recovery from mental health challenges through providing structure, building community and creating personal stories
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‘Green exercise' (physical activity in nature) improves mental wellbeing, especially for people with low wellbeing
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Dance programmes can have psychosocial benefits such as increased cross—community friendships, intercultural awareness and self- confidence
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Frequent arts participation and cultural attendance is associated with lower levels of mental distress and higher levels of life satisfaction
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‘Colouring in’ as a sustained hobby can lead to improved wellbeing through the mechanisms of meditation, mindfulness and self-care
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Participating in sewing as a leisure activity contributes to psychological wellbeing through increasing pride and enjoyment, self-awareness, and 'flow' in younger women
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Undertaking a 'digital daily practice', such as taking a photo or creative writing and then sharing online, can lead to improved wellbeing
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Walking in nature can improve mood more than watching nature scenes on TV or walking on a treadmill in a gym
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Creative writing can contribute to emotional wellbeing through communication and emotional expression
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Creative activity undertaken daily is linked to positive psychological functioning
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Veterans taking part in a rehabilitative archaeological dig report significant reductions in depression and anxiety symptom severity, and a significant improvement in wellbeing. Increased engagement with arts events, historical sites, and museums is associated with improved life satisfaction.
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Increased engagement with arts events, historical sites, and museums is associated with improved life satisfaction
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Participating in singing groups can have an impact on wellbeing for women, through social connection leading to increased self-confidence, self-esteem, social inclusion, and joy
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West African dance workshops have been reported to lead to psychological benefits such as stress and anxiety relief, and improvement in mood.
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Participants in arts on prescription workshops experienced a significant increase in global wellbeing, through reduction in nerves, stress and anxiety
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Older people regularly attending theatre performances experienced improved positive mood, leading to enhanced wellbeing
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Long term and frequent engagement with arts activities such as attending theatre/concerts/opera and museums/galleries/exhibitions is associated with higher levels of happiness and life satisfaction in older adults
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Participants in an 'arts on prescription' project in Denmark reported an array of mental health benefits, including increased self-esteem and joy, and reduced panic attacks
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A systematic review of green walking groups has found evidence to support improvements to mood and symptoms of depression in adults with experience of mental illness
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Joining multi-activity community groups helps to maintain quality of life in older people, through stress relief and enjoyment
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Participating in a community-based music intervention can lead to increased self-confidence and sense of connection for disadvantaged young people
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Attending performances at a regional theatre is associated with increased wellbeing, and a sense of community
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Walking, conservation activities and taking part in citizen science in a public green space are all associated with improved
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Participation in community based recreation supports recovery from mental illness in several ways, including through building confidence, self-determination, and finding balance
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People who are more connected to nature report higher eudaimonic wellbeing and personal growth
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Participants report that taking part in community singing workshops plays a key role in maintaining or improving their mental health and well-being
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A social prescribing scheme employing 'Wellbeing Coordinators' has been found to improve wellbeing, perceived health and social connectedness and reduces anxiety
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An app prompting users to engage with urban nature significantly has been found to improve wellbeing and quality of life, when compared with a built space control
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Arts based recovery college courses are associated with significantly improved mental wellbeing and increased social inclusion
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Taking part in volunteering can provide a buffer against the effects of low self-esteem on wellbeing and sense of belonging in older adults
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Playing in community brass bands reduces stress, improves general mental health and provides regular social interaction.
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Participating in scouts or guides is associated with improved mental health, and narrowed health inequalities at age 50
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Young people experience wellbeing benefits from participation in arts activities through joining in, and developing skills and gaining experience
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Walking groups provide a 'lifeline' for older women, particularly at times of life disruption
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People with depression experience similar benefits for emotional regulation from arts activities as the general population
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Community embedded circus-arts workshops improve children's wellbeing and resilience.
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Nature based interventions can promote wellbeing by changing behaviour, and factors have been identified that influence their success.
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Participation in Arts on Prescription schemes significantly improves the mental wellbeing of older people living in the community, alongside fostering a sense of purpose and achievement.
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Taking part in volunteering activities are associated with improvements in subjective wellbeing.
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Participating in community choirs provides a sense of personal fulfilment, community engagement and resilience, through providing opportunities for social cohesion, positive ageing and music learning.
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Shared reading programs foster positive identities and self-worth amongst mothers who are separated from their children while in prison
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Volunteering promotes self-esteem and a sense of meaning of life among people with physical disabilities, where they also have family and economic support
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The number and area of parks and green spaces within walking distance is positively associated with local residents’ mental wellbeing
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Knitting as part of a guild promotes happiness, skills development, social connections and sustains identity
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Group singing significantly improves symptoms in mothers with moderate – severe postnatal depression
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Community gardening gives participants pride, purpose, and a feeling of social and community connection
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Participating in rural arts groups allows development of social connectedness, increases confidence and maintains wellbeing
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Wellbeing is raised by participation in both traditional textile crafting and e-textiles workshops
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The confidence and social interaction of prisoners is improved by a prison horticultural programme
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Older adults participating in group music making have consistently higher levels of wellbeing than those participating in other activities
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Community singing can reduce depression and anxiety in older people
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Group photography projects support mental health in women living with HIV, by self-expression, developing new skills, helping to process trauma and feel empowered
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Bibliotherapy helps to reduce adults’ long term depressive symptoms
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Engagement in community football contributes to positive experiences by providing social support and a common goal
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Exposure to outdoor blue spaces, such as lakes and rivers, benefits mental health and wellbeing
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Mental health scores improve significantly after participation in twice weekly jazz dance classes amongst college-age students
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Gardening interventions can improve the mental health of women in prison through improvements in relationships and building skills
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Participating in structured arts activities improves self-confidence, self-esteem, relationship building and sense of belonging in children and young people
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Volunteering can buffer against the effects of low self-esteem on mental wellbeing
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Participating in community theatre offers benefits to mental wellbeing through social interaction, building relationships and a sense of belonging in older adults
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Heritage has a positive impact on individual wellbeing (such as life satisfaction) and community wellbeing (such as social relationships and sense of belonging)
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‘Sense of Community’ is an important influence on the relationship between community participation and mental health for people with serious mental illness
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Active participation in rhythm-centred music making has positive benefits for psychological health in a range of age groups
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Visiting and active use of urban blue spaces is associated with increased wellbeing in older adults
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Craft making helps participants to cope with depression and negative feelings, and provides a source of social support and positive relationships
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Attending museum-based social prescription interventions can improve wellbeing in older adults.
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Participating in community- based arts programmes can improve mental health
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Walking groups in a deprived communities are sustained by shared health goals above and beyond sociability.
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Social identity is a key predictor of quality of life among members of the community activity “Men’s Sheds”
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Nature engagement can benefit overall mental health, stress and resilience in children
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Two hours per week or more spent doing arts activities can increase mental well-being.
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Allotment gardeners report better mental health and social cohesion, compared to non-gardeners.
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Reading groups help to mitigate feelings of distress
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Participants in an arts programme based in galleries have improved mental wellbeing and an increased interest in art.
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Community group membership (specifically arts, education and music activities) are associated with enhanced wellbeing in older age
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Attending theatres, cinemas and museums is associated with a lower risk of developing depression in older age.
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Having local greenspace near to where we live is associated with higher levels of life satisfaction.
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Participatory theatre activities can support identity transformation and cultivate a sense of belonging amongst mental health service users.
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Engaging with visual arts can reduce reported anxiety and depression levels, and increase levels of positive mental wellbeing in adults with mental health conditions.
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People who volunteer have higher life satisfaction than non-volunteers, with benefits persisting even after volunteering ceases.