Journal of Psychology & Psychotherapy
Open Access

Arts Engagement as a Preventive Strategy for Adolescent Mental Health

Malloy Irwin^{* *}Correspondence: Malloy Irwin, Department of Health Organization, University of Manchester, Manchester, UK, Email:

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Description

Adolescent mental health is facing an alarming decline in the UK and globally, with rates of probable mental disorders rising rapidly among youth aged 11-16. This crisis has prompted a shift in focus toward prevention and early intervention, rather than relying solely on clinical treatment. Amid these efforts, there is increasing interest in the concept of "Creative Health" the use of arts and cultural engagement to improve wellbeing. The study under discussion offers a critical and much-needed contribution to this field by employing robust longitudinal methods to evaluate the relationship between arts engagement and adolescent mental health.

Previous research in this area has been promising but methodologically limited, often focusing on short-term interventions with small samples or high-risk groups. This study distinguishes itself by analyzing a large panel dataset and using regression techniques that better account for confounding factors and allow a clearer view of causal relationships. The results are both timely and significant: engaging with arts and cultural activities is associated with improved mental health among adolescents aged 11 to 15. Specifically, an increase in engagement by one standard deviation led to a reduction in externalising symptom scores by approximately 2.4% of the mean. While modest, this effect is meaningful at the population level and underscores the potential of creative engagement as a low-cost, accessible public health intervention.

One of the key strengths of this study lies in its attention to the type of engagement. It distinguishes between ‘Active’ forms of participation. The findings suggest that active engagement may offer greater mental health benefits, potentially because it fosters self-expression, agency and mastery factors known to enhance psychological wellbeing. This insight has important implications for how arts programs for adolescents are designed and implemented. To maximize impact, initiatives should prioritize hands-on, participatory formats over purely observational experiences.

Gender differences highlight greater benefits of arts engagement for adolescent girls

Another important contribution of the study is its exploration of gender differences. The findings indicate that female adolescents appear to benefit more from arts engagement than their male counterparts. This aligns with existing literature showing that girls are more likely to engage in cultural activities and are also more vulnerable to internalising mental health issues such as anxiety and depression. As such, arts engagement may offer a particularly effective coping strategy for adolescent girls. However, the gender gap also points to a need for further research on how to engage boys in creative activities in ways that are appealing and emotionally supportive.

Policy support needed for arts in youth mental health

The policy implications of these findings are substantial. There is now strong evidence to support regular, everyday engagement with arts and culture as part of a preventive mental health strategy for young people. This could take the form of integrating more creative activities into school curricula, supporting community-based youth arts programs, or making cultural spaces more accessible and inclusive for young people. Yet, despite the growing evidence base, the UK has seen a decline in public funding for the arts, particularly in state schools. If arts engagement is to play a meaningful role in improving adolescent wellbeing, this trend must be reversed.

It is also important to address the accessibility of arts and cultural opportunities. Socioeconomic status, ethnicity, and geographic location all influence who has access to arts engagement and how often. Any public health approach leveraging the arts must ensure equitable access for all young people not just those already advantaged. This requires investment not only in schools but also in local arts infrastructure, especially in underserved areas.

Furthermore, while this study provides important insights, it also raises questions for future research. One key area is the potential for reverse causality do young people with better mental health engage more with the arts or arts engagement lead to better mental health While the study's longitudinal approach helps address this issue, further work using experimental or quasi-experimental designs would help strengthen causal claims. Additionally, there is room to explore how different types of art forms music, visual arts, drama, dance may differently impact various aspects of mental health and wellbeing.

Conclusion

In conclusion, this study makes a compelling case for the role of arts engagement in promoting adolescent mental health. Its robust methods and large sample offer more reliable evidence than much of the prior literature, and its findings highlight the importance of regular, active participation in creative activities. As policymakers and practitioners seek innovative and scalable solutions to the youth mental health crisis, arts and culture should no longer be seen as an optional add-on, but rather as a core component of a comprehensive mental health strategy. Investing in creative opportunities for all adolescents is not only beneficial for their emotional development but also for the longterm health and resilience of society as a whole.

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