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Theatre Involvement and Well-Being, Age Differences, and Lessons From Long-Time Subscribers
Suzanne Meeks1, Sarah Kelly Shryock1, Russell J Vandenbroucke2
1Department of Psychological and Brain Sciences, University of Louisville, Kentucky.
The Gerontologist
|April 12, 2017
Summary
Theatre involvement enhances well-being through social connection and engagement, particularly for younger adults. Lifelong participation in performing arts offers lasting psychological benefits across all ages.
Area of Science:
- Psychology
- Sociology
- Arts Administration
Background:
- Positive emotions, social interaction, and psychological stimulation enhance lifelong well-being.
- Investigated psychological benefits and age-related differences in theatre patron involvement.
Purpose of the Study:
- To test a model of psychological benefit derived from theatre involvement.
- To examine age differences in the relationship between theatre engagement and well-being.
Main Methods:
- Online surveys (N=496) assessed theatre involvement, satisfaction, social engagement, flow, belonging, and well-being.
- Structural modeling analyzed relationships; focus groups (N=20) with older subscribers provided qualitative insights.
Main Results:
- Theatre involvement indirectly improved well-being via flow, social engagement, and belonging.
- Age moderated the involvement-benefit link (stronger for younger adults), but not benefit-well-being link.
- Qualitative data revealed theatre fosters community, pride, and links individual to community well-being.
Conclusions:
- Performing arts involvement offers lifelong psychological benefits.
- The link between involvement and psychosocial benefits is stronger for younger audiences.
- Sustained engagement benefits older adults, highlighting potential loss for younger generations with lower participation.