Related Experiment Video
Updated: Dec 16, 2025

Examining Changes in HRV and Emotion Following Artmaking with Three Different Art Materials
Published on: January 11, 2020
Does arts and cultural engagement vary geographically? Evidence from the UK household longitudinal study
H W Mak1, R Coulter2, D Fancourt1
1Department of Behavioural Science and Health, University College London, 1-19 Torrington Place, London, WC1E 7HB, UK.
Objectives:
Previous studies have shown the beneficial impacts of arts participation and cultural engagement on health outcomes. However, this engagement is socially patterned and is also possibly influenced by geographical factors.
Study Design:
The aim of this study was to examine the association between geographical factors (spatial setting and neighbourhood characteristics) and arts and cultural engagement amongst adults in the UK.
Methods:
Data analysed were from Understanding Society Wave 2 (2010/12) with a total sample size of 26,215. Logistic and ordinal regression was used to identify geographical predictors for the patterns of the engagement.
Results:
Our results show that there are geographical differences in participation independent of individual demographic and socio-economic backgrounds. In particular, there was more evidence for differences in the participation based on neighbourhood characteristics (e.g. level of area deprivation). We also found some interactions between individual and geographical factors for cultural engagement but not for arts participation.
Conclusions:
This study reveals a geographical and individual socio-economic gradient in arts and cultural engagement. Given the health benefits of arts engagement, improving access to arts and cultural programmes geographically may potentially help to reduce health inequalities.
More Related Videos
11:21Methodology for Establishing a Community-Wide Life Laboratory for Capturing Unobtrusive and Continuous Remote Activity and Health Data
Published on: July 27, 2018
15:00Setup of Consumer Wearable Devices for Exposure and Health Monitoring in Population Studies
Published on: February 3, 2023
Related Concept Videos
Longitudinal Research
Cross-Sectional Research
Close Relationships and Culture
Impact of Social Context on Individuals
The Role of Culture
Longitudinal Studies