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      Assessing the impact of artistic and cultural activities on the health and well-being of forcibly displaced people using participatory action research

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      BMJ Open
      BMJ

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          Abstract

          Objective

          Drawing on a growing body of research suggesting that taking part in artistic and cultural activities benefits health and well-being, the objective was to develop a participatory action research (PAR) method for assessing the impact of arts interventions on forcibly displaced people, and identify themes concerning perceived benefits of such programmes.

          Design

          A collaborative study following PAR principles of observation, focus groups and in-depth semistructured interviews.

          Setting

          London-based charity working with asylum seekers and refugees.

          Participants

          An opportunity sample (n=31; 6 males) participated in focus groups comprising refugees/asylum seekers (n=12; 2 males), volunteers (n=4; 1 males) and charity staff (n=15; 3 males). A subset of these (n=17; 3 males) participated in interviews comprising refugees/asylum seekers (n=7; 1 males), volunteers (n=7; 1 males) and charity staff (n=3; 1 males).

          Results

          Focus group findings showed that participants articulated the impact of creative activities around three main themes: skills, social engagement and personal emotions that were explored during in-depth interviews. Thematic analysis of interviews was conducted in NVivo 11 and findings showed that artistic and cultural activities impacted positively by helping participants find a voice, create support networks and learn practical skills useful in the labour market.

          Conclusions

          The study expanded on arts and well-being research by exploring effects of cultural and creative activities on the psychosocial well-being of refugees and asylum seekers. By focusing on the relationship between arts, well-being and forced displacement, the study was instrumental in actively trying to change the narrative surrounding refugees and asylum seekers, often depicted in negative terms in the public sphere.

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          Author and article information

          Contributors
          (View ORCID Profile)
          Journal
          BMJ Open
          BMJ Open
          BMJ
          2044-6055
          2044-6055
          February 20 2019
          February 2019
          February 20 2019
          February 2019
          : 9
          : 2
          : e025465
          Article
          10.1136/bmjopen-2018-025465
          b7a8cd4a-9a2e-428f-b658-ad549da1b521
          © 2019
          History

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