title: Mixed methods evaluation of well-being benefits derived from a heritage-in-health intervention with hospital patients.
abstract: BACKGROUND
  This study sought to determine the effects of a heritage-in-health intervention on well-being. Benefits of arts-in-health interventions are relatively well-documented yet little robust research has been conducted using heritage-in-health interventions, such as those involving museum objects.
  
  
  METHODS
  Hospital patients (n= 57) participated in semi-structured, 30-40 minute facilitated interview sessions, discussing and handling museum objects comprising selections of six artefacts and specimens loaned from archaeology, art, geology and natural history collections. Well-being measures (Positive Affect Negative Affect Scale, Visual Analogue Scales) evaluated the sessions while inductive and deductive thematic analysis investigated psycho-educational features accounting for changes.
  
  
  RESULTS
  Comparison of pre- and post-session quantitative measures showed significant increases in well-being and happiness. Qualitative investigation revealed thinking and meaning-making opportunities for participants engaged with objects.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  Heritage-in-health sessions enhanced positive mood and social interaction, endorsing the need for provision of well-being-related museum and gallery activities for socially excluded or vulnerable healthcare audiences.
authors.affiliation: University College London, UCL Museums & Public Engagement, Darwin Building, Gower Street, London, UK.
authors.forename: Hannah L
authors.initials: HL
authors.lastname: Paddon
authors.affiliation: University College London, UCL Museums & Public Engagement, Darwin Building, Gower Street, London, UK.
authors.forename: Linda J M
authors.initials: LJ
authors.lastname: Thomson
authors.affiliation: Department of Women's Cancer, UCL Elizabeth Garrett Anderson Institute for Women's Health, London, UK.
authors.forename: Usha
authors.initials: U
authors.lastname: Menon
authors.affiliation: Department of Women's Cancer, UCL Elizabeth Garrett Anderson Institute for Women's Health, London, UK.
authors.forename: Anne E
authors.initials: AE
authors.lastname: Lanceley
authors.affiliation: University College London, UCL Museums & Public Engagement, Darwin Building, Gower Street, London, UK.
authors.forename: Helen J
authors.initials: HJ
authors.lastname: Chatterjee
keywords: happiness; material objects; mixed methods; museum object handling; wellbeing