Aims: This article considers eudaimonic models of psychological well-being in relation to qualita... more Aims: This article considers eudaimonic models of psychological well-being in relation to qualitative data previously gathered as part of Manchester Metropolitan University's Invest to Save Arts in Health programme (2004-07). Methods: The research draws from 21 interviews with participants involved in Invest to Save arts projects for older people and adults with a mental health diagnosis. Using a collaborative team approach, a hybrid thematic analysis was undertaken alongside an updated literature review framed by positive psychology and with a focus on well-being. Results: The analysis identified eudaimonic themes of autonomy/intrinsic motivation and challenge to be particularly pertinent to participants' experiences of the scheme. Findings suggest that the programme provided a sense of purposeful occupation, cognitive and creative challenge and opportunities for autonomous self-expression and heightened concentration (flow). Many participants identified with the arts activities on offer and, while not necessarily aspiring to achieve any particular status, were intrinsically motivated to develop what they considered to be their innate creative potential. Some also reported that sustained engagement was important to their continued psychological well-being. Conclusions: Arts and health researchers might usefully draw from theories of well-being from positive psychology. Both fields are compatible in that they share an interest in human flourishing and understanding of wellness as more than an absence of dysfunction or disease. Further research is needed to ascertain whether the limited results presented here are representative of other populations. What does seem evident is that arts projects have a broad appeal and can be highly inclusive, accommodating participants with diverse needs. More generally the investigation raises questions about the cultural scaffolds that are in place to support eudaimonic well-being across the lifespan, as well as the consequences of restricting such opportunities for individuals and communities.
Background: Health providers and promoters are increasingly looking for more innovative ways to d... more Background: Health providers and promoters are increasingly looking for more innovative ways to deliver quality services and reach ambitious health targets, and are exploring a diverse range of approaches that might help meet those objectives, especially with target, resistant or hard to reach groups. The arts and culture sectors are identified as potential areas of ‘innovation’ that could enhance and help deliver this health strategy and there have been numerous calls for ‘evidence’ of impact, effectiveness or of value, and clear indicators that, as a result of these activities, change is really happening. There are clearly contextual, ideological and value differences between art and health workers. There is little consensus about the best ways of collecting data, and of gathering evidence that will be both meaningful to each group and adequately represent the true value of arts and health activities. The aim at the outset of the Invest to Save: Arts in Health evaluation was to ex...
Participatory arts projects have been around for some considerable time. However, perhaps now mor... more Participatory arts projects have been around for some considerable time. However, perhaps now more than ever before, their role in contributing to the health and well-being of participants is being both supported via funding streams beyond the arts council to include health and ...
Aims: This article considers eudaimonic models of psychological wellbeing in relation to qualitat... more Aims: This article considers eudaimonic models of psychological wellbeing in relation to qualitative data previously gathered as part of Manchester Metropolitan's Invest to Save Arts in Health programme Methods: The research draws from 21 interviews with participants involved in Invest to Save arts projects for older people and adults with a mental health diagnosis. Using a collaborative team approach, a hybrid thematic analysis was undertaken alongside an updated literature review framed by positive psychology and with a focus on wellbeing.
Wellbeing: individual, community and social …, 2007
Kagan C. and Kilroy A. Community psychology and well-being. In J. Haworth and G. Hart, eds. Wellb... more Kagan C. and Kilroy A. Community psychology and well-being. In J. Haworth and G. Hart, eds. Wellbeing: individual, community and social perspectives. London, Palgrave Macmillan, 2007. ... There are no files associated with this item.
Design and Layout by Arts for Health Team Cover Design by Grace Jackson Photographs by Invest to ... more Design and Layout by Arts for Health Team Cover Design by Grace Jackson Photographs by Invest to Save Projects and Research Team Arts for Health Manchester Metropolitan University Elizabeth Gaskell Campus Hathersage Road Manchester M13 0JA Telephone 0161 247 1094 / 4656 Email [email protected] or [email protected] recognising the importance of the things that happen outside clinical environments and that impact on public health, specifically within our communities. During the same period of policy change, Sir Nigel Crisp, then Chief Executive of the NHS, put out a call to the arts community, for evidence of the relationship and relevance of culture and the arts to the NHS. A significant outcome of this interest has been the publication of joint Department of Health and Arts Council England national strategic frameworks.
Aims: This article considers eudaimonic models of psychological well-being in relation to qualita... more Aims: This article considers eudaimonic models of psychological well-being in relation to qualitative data previously gathered as part of Manchester Metropolitan University's Invest to Save Arts in Health programme (2004-07). Methods: The research draws from 21 interviews with participants involved in Invest to Save arts projects for older people and adults with a mental health diagnosis. Using a collaborative team approach, a hybrid thematic analysis was undertaken alongside an updated literature review framed by positive psychology and with a focus on well-being. Results: The analysis identified eudaimonic themes of autonomy/intrinsic motivation and challenge to be particularly pertinent to participants' experiences of the scheme. Findings suggest that the programme provided a sense of purposeful occupation, cognitive and creative challenge and opportunities for autonomous self-expression and heightened concentration (flow). Many participants identified with the arts activities on offer and, while not necessarily aspiring to achieve any particular status, were intrinsically motivated to develop what they considered to be their innate creative potential. Some also reported that sustained engagement was important to their continued psychological well-being. Conclusions: Arts and health researchers might usefully draw from theories of well-being from positive psychology. Both fields are compatible in that they share an interest in human flourishing and understanding of wellness as more than an absence of dysfunction or disease. Further research is needed to ascertain whether the limited results presented here are representative of other populations. What does seem evident is that arts projects have a broad appeal and can be highly inclusive, accommodating participants with diverse needs. More generally the investigation raises questions about the cultural scaffolds that are in place to support eudaimonic well-being across the lifespan, as well as the consequences of restricting such opportunities for individuals and communities.
Background: Health providers and promoters are increasingly looking for more innovative ways to d... more Background: Health providers and promoters are increasingly looking for more innovative ways to deliver quality services and reach ambitious health targets, and are exploring a diverse range of approaches that might help meet those objectives, especially with target, resistant or hard to reach groups. The arts and culture sectors are identified as potential areas of ‘innovation’ that could enhance and help deliver this health strategy and there have been numerous calls for ‘evidence’ of impact, effectiveness or of value, and clear indicators that, as a result of these activities, change is really happening. There are clearly contextual, ideological and value differences between art and health workers. There is little consensus about the best ways of collecting data, and of gathering evidence that will be both meaningful to each group and adequately represent the true value of arts and health activities. The aim at the outset of the Invest to Save: Arts in Health evaluation was to ex...
Participatory arts projects have been around for some considerable time. However, perhaps now mor... more Participatory arts projects have been around for some considerable time. However, perhaps now more than ever before, their role in contributing to the health and well-being of participants is being both supported via funding streams beyond the arts council to include health and ...
Aims: This article considers eudaimonic models of psychological wellbeing in relation to qualitat... more Aims: This article considers eudaimonic models of psychological wellbeing in relation to qualitative data previously gathered as part of Manchester Metropolitan's Invest to Save Arts in Health programme Methods: The research draws from 21 interviews with participants involved in Invest to Save arts projects for older people and adults with a mental health diagnosis. Using a collaborative team approach, a hybrid thematic analysis was undertaken alongside an updated literature review framed by positive psychology and with a focus on wellbeing.
Wellbeing: individual, community and social …, 2007
Kagan C. and Kilroy A. Community psychology and well-being. In J. Haworth and G. Hart, eds. Wellb... more Kagan C. and Kilroy A. Community psychology and well-being. In J. Haworth and G. Hart, eds. Wellbeing: individual, community and social perspectives. London, Palgrave Macmillan, 2007. ... There are no files associated with this item.
Design and Layout by Arts for Health Team Cover Design by Grace Jackson Photographs by Invest to ... more Design and Layout by Arts for Health Team Cover Design by Grace Jackson Photographs by Invest to Save Projects and Research Team Arts for Health Manchester Metropolitan University Elizabeth Gaskell Campus Hathersage Road Manchester M13 0JA Telephone 0161 247 1094 / 4656 Email [email protected] or [email protected] recognising the importance of the things that happen outside clinical environments and that impact on public health, specifically within our communities. During the same period of policy change, Sir Nigel Crisp, then Chief Executive of the NHS, put out a call to the arts community, for evidence of the relationship and relevance of culture and the arts to the NHS. A significant outcome of this interest has been the publication of joint Department of Health and Arts Council England national strategic frameworks.
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Papers by Amanda Kilroy