title: Eudaimonic well-being and community arts participation.
abstract: OBJECTIVE
  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.
authors: Arts for Health and Well-Being Research Group, Research Institute for Health and Social Change, Manchester Metropolitan University, M13 0JA, UK. r.swindells@mmu.ac.uk
authors: Rachel
authors: R
authors: Swindells
authors: Rebecca
authors: R
authors: Lawthom
authors: Kevin
authors: K
authors: Rowley
authors: Asiya
authors: A
authors: Siddiquee
authors: Amanda
authors: A
authors: Kilroy
authors: Carolyn
authors: C
authors: Kagan
mesh_terms: D000368:Aged; D001154:Art; D003405:Creativity; D005260:Female; D006304:Health Status; D006801:Humans; D007407:Interviews as Topic; D008297:Male; D001523:Mental Disorders / Q000523:psychology*; D008603:Mental Health; D008875:Middle Aged; D009042:Motivation; D026684:Personal Autonomy