Resources

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

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Recommended articles for June 2020:

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1. Engaging in adventure nature activities (“nature and adventure tourism”) is reported to have emotional benefits, improve recovery from stress and enhance one’s worldview

2. Participating in a community choir can reduce loneliness amongst older adults from diverse ethnic backgrounds

3. Participating in more hours of leisure time physical activity is associated with a lower risk of depression

4. A weekly participatory art-based activity at a museum can improve wellbeing, quality of life and frailty in older adults

5. 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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Previously recommended articles: 

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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

• ‘Green exercise' (physical activity in nature) improves mental wellbeing, especially for people with low wellbeing

• Dance programmes can have psychosocial benefits such as increased cross—community friendships, intercultural awareness and self- confidence 

• Frequent arts participation and cultural attendance is associated with lower levels of mental distress and higher levels of life satisfaction

• ‘Colouring in’ as a sustained hobby can lead to improved wellbeing through the mechanisms of meditation, mindfulness and self-care

• Participating in sewing as a leisure activity contributes to psychological wellbeing through increasing pride and enjoyment, self-awareness, and 'flow' in younger women 

• Undertaking a 'digital daily practice', such as taking a photo or creative writing and then sharing online, can lead to improved wellbeing 

• Walking in nature can improve mood more than watching nature scenes on TV or walking on a treadmill in a gym 

• Creative writing can contribute to emotional wellbeing through communication and emotional expression 

• Creative activity undertaken daily is linked to positive psychological functioning ​

• 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.

• Increased engagement with arts events, historical sites, and museums is associated with improved life satisfaction

• 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

• West African dance workshops have been reported to lead to psychological benefits such as stress and anxiety relief, and improvement in mood.

• Participants in arts on prescription workshops experienced a significant increase in global wellbeing, through reduction in nerves, stress and anxiety

• Older people regularly attending theatre performances experienced improved positive mood, leading to enhanced wellbeing

• 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

• 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

• 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

• Joining multi-activity community groups helps to maintain quality of life in older people, through stress relief and enjoyment

• Participating in a community-based music intervention can lead to increased self-confidence and sense of connection for disadvantaged young people

• Attending performances at a regional theatre is associated with increased wellbeing, and a sense of community

• Walking, conservation activities and taking part in citizen science in a public green space are all associated with improved

• Participation in community based recreation supports recovery from mental illness in several ways, including through building confidence, self-determination, and finding balance

• People who are more connected to nature report higher eudaimonic wellbeing and personal growth

• Participants report that taking part in community singing workshops plays a key role in maintaining or improving their mental health and well-being 

• A social prescribing scheme employing 'Wellbeing Coordinators' has been found to improve wellbeing, perceived health and social connectedness and reduces anxiety 

•  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 

• Arts based recovery college courses are associated with significantly improved mental wellbeing and increased social inclusion 

• Taking part in volunteering can provide a buffer against the effects of low self-esteem on wellbeing and sense of belonging in older adults 

• Playing in community brass bands reduces stress, improves general mental health and provides regular social interaction.

• Participating in scouts or guides is associated with improved mental health, and narrowed health inequalities at age 50

• Young people experience wellbeing benefits from participation in arts activities through joining in, and developing skills and gaining experience

• Walking groups provide a 'lifeline' for older women, particularly at times of life disruption  

• People with depression experience similar benefits for emotional regulation from arts activities as the general population 

• Community embedded circus-arts workshops improve children's wellbeing and resilience.

• Nature based interventions can promote wellbeing by changing behaviour, and factors have been identified that influence their success.

• 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.

• Taking part in volunteering activities are associated with improvements in subjective wellbeing.               

• 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.   

• Shared reading programs foster positive identities and self-worth amongst mothers who are separated from their children while in prison

• Volunteering promotes self-esteem and a sense of meaning of life among people with physical disabilities, where they also have family and economic support

• The number and area of parks and green spaces within walking distance is positively associated with local residents’ mental wellbeing

• Knitting as part of a guild promotes happiness, skills development, social connections and sustains identity

• Group singing significantly improves symptoms in mothers with moderate – severe postnatal depression

• Community gardening gives participants pride, purpose, and a feeling of social and community connection

• Participating in rural arts groups allows development of social connectedness, increases confidence and maintains wellbeing

• Wellbeing is raised by participation in both traditional textile crafting and e-textiles workshops

• The confidence and social interaction of prisoners is improved by a prison horticultural programme

• Older adults participating in group music making have consistently higher levels of wellbeing than those participating in other activities

• Community singing can reduce depression and anxiety in older people

• Group photography projects support mental health in women living with HIV, by self-expression, developing new skills, helping to process trauma and feel empowered

• Bibliotherapy helps to reduce adults’ long term depressive symptoms

• Engagement in community football contributes to positive experiences by providing social support and a common goal

• Exposure to outdoor blue spaces, such as lakes and rivers, benefits mental health and wellbeing

• Mental health scores improve significantly after participation in twice weekly jazz dance classes amongst college-age students

• Gardening interventions can improve the mental health of women in prison through improvements in relationships and building skills

• Participating in structured arts activities improves self-confidence, self-esteem, relationship building and sense of belonging in children and young people

• Volunteering can buffer against the effects of low self-esteem on mental wellbeing

• Participating in community theatre offers benefits to mental wellbeing through social interaction, building relationships and a sense of belonging in older adults

• Heritage has a positive impact on individual wellbeing (such as life satisfaction) and community wellbeing (such as social relationships and sense of belonging)  

• ‘Sense of Community’ is an important influence on the relationship between community participation and mental health for people with serious mental illness

• Active participation in rhythm-centred music making has positive benefits for psychological health in a range of age groups 

• Visiting and active use of urban blue spaces is associated with increased wellbeing in older adults 

• Craft making helps participants to cope with depression and negative feelings, and provides a source of social support and positive relationships 

• Attending museum-based social prescription interventions can improve wellbeing in older adults.

• Participating in community- based arts programmes can improve mental health 

• Walking groups in a deprived communities are sustained by shared health goals above and beyond sociability. 

• Social identity is a key predictor of quality of life among members of the community activity “Men’s Sheds”

• Nature engagement can benefit overall mental health, stress and resilience in children

• Two hours per week or more spent doing arts activities can increase mental well-being. 

• Allotment gardeners report better mental health and social cohesion, compared to non-gardeners.

• Reading groups help to mitigate feelings of distress 

• Participants in an arts programme based in galleries have improved mental wellbeing and an increased interest in art.  

• Community group membership (specifically arts, education and music activities) are associated with enhanced wellbeing in older age 

• Attending theatres, cinemas and museums is associated with a lower risk of developing depression in older age.

• Having local greenspace near to where we live is associated with higher levels of life satisfaction.

• Participatory theatre activities can support identity transformation and cultivate a sense of belonging amongst mental health service users.

• Engaging with visual arts can reduce reported anxiety and depression levels, and increase levels of positive mental wellbeing in adults with mental health conditions.

• People who volunteer have higher life satisfaction than non-volunteers, with benefits persisting even after volunteering ceases.​​​

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