Arts-based groups ‘can help people with mental health conditions’

Taking part in arts-based groups can help people with mental health conditions to experience more positive emotions, according to a new study.

The research from the University of Queensland involved 62 participants, including 39 adults with chronic mental health problems who were members of arts-based groups and 23 members who were not experiencing these issues.

It was shown that participants reported a significant increase in positive emotions and a decrease in negative emotions during the daytime arts-based activities, which included choir singing and creative writing. While the influence on positive emotions was short-term, the effect on negative emotions lasted until evening.

Those with chronic mental health conditions were able to derive the same emotional benefits as healthy adults, with participants describing numerous ways in which their participation in the groups enhanced their individual and interpersonal emotion regulation.

Dr Genevieve Dingle, corresponding author of the British Journal of Clinical Psychology study, said: "The findings of this study are exciting because they clearly show the potential for participation in arts-based groups to influence emotions and emotion regulation in positive ways."

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