Arts and crafts boost mental wellbeing – new study
Creative activities as beneficial to life satisfaction as having a job, researchers find
Carrying out creative activities such as arts and crafts are as beneficial to mental wellbeing as having a job, according to a new study published in the journal Frontiers in Public Health.
Scientists from Anglia Ruskin University (ARU) used data from a major national survey to investigate the impact of taking part in creative activities like sewing or painting on how much people reported enjoying their lives. They found that creativity had as great an influence on participants’ wellbeing and happiness as sociodemographic factors like age and health. Helping people to access affordable opportunities for creativity could be a major boost to public mental health.
The scientists analysed a sample of 7,182 participants from the annual Taking Part survey conducted by the UK’s Department for Culture, Media, and Sport, which evaluates public engagement with cultural, digital and sporting activities.
Participants were asked to rate their sensations of happiness, anxiety, and life satisfaction, and to give their impression of whether life is worthwhile. When asked about their engagement with crafts, 37.4% of respondents confirmed that they had taken part in at least one craft activity over the last twelve months.
The people who took part in arts and crafts reported higher levels of happiness and life satisfaction, as well as a stronger sense that life is worthwhile. The boost to respondents’ sense that life is worthwhile was as significant as being in employment.
The scientists controlled for sociodemographic variables that we already know affect the experience of wellbeing: gender, age group, health, employment status, and level of deprivation. For instance, poorer health, unemployment, and higher levels of deprivation have all been linked to lower wellbeing.
Dr Helen Keyes, Head of the School of Psychology and Sports Science at ARU, said:
"Indeed, the impact of crafting was bigger than the impact of being in employment. Not only does crafting give us a sense of achievement, it is also a meaningful route to self-expression. This is not always the case with employment.
"Engaging in these activities is linked with a greater sense that life is worthwhile, increased life satisfaction and happiness. The wellbeing effects were present even after we accounted for things like employment status and level of deprivation. It seems that crafting can contribute positively to your wellbeing above and beyond these other aspects of your life.”