Using Museum Objects to Improve Wellbeing in Mental Health Service Users and Neurological Rehabilitation Clients

• Published in: The British journal of occupational therapy Vol. 76; no. 5; pp. 208 - 216
• Main Authors: Ander, Erica E, Thomson, Linda JM, Blair, Kathryn, Noble, Guy, Menon, Usha, Lanceley, Anne, Chatterjee, Helen J
• Format: Journal Article
• Language: English
• Published: London, England SAGE Publications 01.05.2013; Sage Publications Ltd. (UK)
• Subjects: Art museums; Buildings and facilities; Care and treatment; Influence; Management; Mental illness; Methods; Psychiatric services; Psychological aspects; Rehabilitation; wellbeing; Museum object; qualitative analysis
• ISSN: 0308-0226; 1477-6006
• DOI: 10.4276/030802213X13679275042645

Introduction: The study investigated the impact of museum object handling sessions on hospital clients receiving occupational therapy in neurological rehabilitation and in an older adult acute inpatient mental health service. Methods: The research used a qualitative approach based on objectivist and constructionist methods, from which themes typical of the object handling sessions were derived. Results: Themes emerging from detailed analysis of discourse involving clients (n = 82) and healthcare staff (n = 8) comprised: distraction and decreasing negative emotion; increasing vitality and participation; tactile stimulation; conversational and social skills; increasing a sense of identity; novel perspectives and thoughts; learning new things; enjoyment and positive emotion. Critical success factors included good session facilitation for mitigating insecurity, ward staff support and the use of authentic heritage objects. Conclusion: Museums and their collections can be a valuable addition to cultural and arts occupations, in particular for long-stay hospital clients.