An interpretative phenomenological analysis of the perceived contribution of artmaking to subjective wellbeing

Abstract

The focus of this study is to describe the perceived contribution of artmaking to subjective wellbeing with the aim of answering the research question: What is the perceived contribution of artmaking to subjective wellbeing? Previous studies that considered the influence of artmaking on subjective wellbeing have focussed on the contribution of artmaking to subjective wellbeing in the context of adversity. The present study focused on the contribution of artmaking to subjective wellbeing in a more general context with the objective of understanding the perceived contribution of artmaking to subjective wellbeing regardless of the presence or absence of adversity. Six participants who made art were selected purposively and in-depth data were attained through semi-structured interviews. The interviews were conducted online and the data were analysed using interpretative phenomenological analysis. The analysis identified seven superordinate themes which described the participants’ perceived contributions of artmaking to their subjective wellbeing. The findings confirmed those of previous studies.