Creative activities as intervention: experiences of well-being and satisfaction with daily living in a mental health context

Abstract

There is increasing recognition in research of the role of creative activities in mental health recovery empowering the management of daily living and enhancing well-being and personal growth. Creative activities can generate psychological, physiological, and social responses that are themselves causally linked with health outcomes.

Purpose

This study aimed to explore to what extent and in which way people with severe mental illness experience well-being, performance, and satisfaction with daily living when participating in creative activities as intervention.

Materials and methods

A sequential mixed-methods design was applied. Data was obtained at two measurement points two-three weeks apart using the WHO-5 questionnaire and COPM questionnaire from a sample of 33 participants participating in interventions with creative activities. In addition, eight of the participants took part in qualitative semi-structured interviews, and data was analysed using content analysis on a manifest level. The quantitative data was processed using descriptive statistics, paired t-tests and Kendall’s tau-b for correlations.

Result

Participation resulted in improved self-rated well-being (17. 70. p < 0.0001), self-perceived occupational performance of daily living (1.40, p = 0.001), and satisfaction with occupational performance (2.05, p < 0.0001). The changes in well-being and daily living were explained by a work-like content and structure, positive intrapersonal and social acceptability experiences, and greater self-esteem due to the experience of being an artist.

Conclusion

This study contributes with knowledge about participation in creative activities as intervention even for a short period enables well-being, and performance and satisfaction with daily living for people experiencing severe mental illness.

Keywords:

• Arts
• daily living
• intervention
• mental health
• mixed method
• well-being

Acknowledgments

We are also grateful to patients and users, the research-group, and staff in the workshops, who have given us valuable inspiration, support and feedback making this study possible.

Disclosure statement

No conflict of interest.

Additional information

Funding

We are grateful for the continuous support and funding from Region Zealand’s Research Unit.

Notes on contributors

Bodil Winther Hansen

Bodil Winther Hansen, Associate Professor at Copenhagen University College, Master in Adult Education and Human Resource. Ph.D. student and Licentiate of Medical Science from Lunds University. Worked 1987-1999 in the psychiatric field with group therapy, drawing therapy and rehabilitation of people with severe mental illness. Working from 1999- until now as an Associate Professor at the occupational therapy education in Copenhagen, Denmark. Experienced in teaching, developing, implementing and evaluating interprofessional education. Research interest includes topics such as: Concept analysis of creative activities as intervention, the occupational value of creative activities as intervention, problem-based learning, inter-professional learning and Participatory research.

Helle Andrea Pedersen

Helle Andrea Pedersen, Reg OT, Head of Department of Occupational therapy and Physio therapy and the Central therapy, Region Zealand Mental Health Services South, since 2003. Diploma in Leadership from University College Zealand, 2010. Graduated from the School of Occupational Therapy, Denmark 1989. Research interest includes empowerment through everyday activities, work-related activities, creative activities and Action Research.

Åse Brandt

Åse Brandt, Reg. OT, MPH, PhD, Associate Professor, Department of Public Health, General Practice, University of Southern Denmark, Odense, Denmark. Research interests focus on: activity and participation, quality of life and user satisfaction, outcomes of assistive technology and assistive technology service provision.

Lene Lauge Berring

Lene Lauge Berring, RN, MScN, Ph.D. Region Zealand Psychiatry, Head of psychiatric Research Unit / Associated Professor at University of Southern Denmark. Research interest, participatory research, qualitative methods, mental health, recovery and violence and restraint prevention. Pure: Lene Lauge Berring—Syddansk Universitet (sdu.dk).