The role of arts on prescription in supporting young adults’ mental health and life transitions
(2026) In iScience 29(4).- Abstract
This study investigates the impact of a 10-week Arts on Prescription (AoP) program in Denmark designed for young adults aged 18–30 who were disengaged from education and unemployed. Eighteen participants took part in four semi-structured focus group interviews, and four completed a survey; most reported experiences of anxiety, depression, and stress, with some describing chronic pain, ADHD, or autism. Thematic analysis identified three interrelated themes: catalyst for change, social aspects, and program content and structure. Participants described enhanced confidence, improved mood, strengthened daily routines, and greater readiness to pursue education or employment. Social engagement reduced isolation and supported identity... (More)
This study investigates the impact of a 10-week Arts on Prescription (AoP) program in Denmark designed for young adults aged 18–30 who were disengaged from education and unemployed. Eighteen participants took part in four semi-structured focus group interviews, and four completed a survey; most reported experiences of anxiety, depression, and stress, with some describing chronic pain, ADHD, or autism. Thematic analysis identified three interrelated themes: catalyst for change, social aspects, and program content and structure. Participants described enhanced confidence, improved mood, strengthened daily routines, and greater readiness to pursue education or employment. Social engagement reduced isolation and supported identity development. At the same time, challenges were noted regarding organizational consistency, perceived safety in certain activities, limited time for relationship-building, and gaps in referral and follow-up. The findings indicate that AoP programs can support wellbeing and transitional processes when accompanied by careful design, safeguarding, system integration, and sustained support.
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- author
- Hejlesen, Ida Flagstad and Jensen, Anita LU
- organization
- publishing date
- 2026-04-17
- type
- Contribution to journal
- publication status
- published
- subject
- keywords
- education, health sciences, psychiatry, psychology, social sciences
- in
- iScience
- volume
- 29
- issue
- 4
- article number
- 115463
- publisher
- Elsevier
- external identifiers
-
- pmid:42006339
- scopus:105034886680
- ISSN
- 2589-0042
- DOI
- 10.1016/j.isci.2026.115463
- language
- English
- LU publication?
- yes
- additional info
- Publisher Copyright: © 2026 The Author(s)
- id
- 8beeafc4-8335-402e-bcd0-5a4a91317875
- date added to LUP
- 2026-05-25 14:58:15
- date last changed
- 2026-05-26 03:00:03
@article{8beeafc4-8335-402e-bcd0-5a4a91317875,
abstract = {{<p>This study investigates the impact of a 10-week Arts on Prescription (AoP) program in Denmark designed for young adults aged 18–30 who were disengaged from education and unemployed. Eighteen participants took part in four semi-structured focus group interviews, and four completed a survey; most reported experiences of anxiety, depression, and stress, with some describing chronic pain, ADHD, or autism. Thematic analysis identified three interrelated themes: catalyst for change, social aspects, and program content and structure. Participants described enhanced confidence, improved mood, strengthened daily routines, and greater readiness to pursue education or employment. Social engagement reduced isolation and supported identity development. At the same time, challenges were noted regarding organizational consistency, perceived safety in certain activities, limited time for relationship-building, and gaps in referral and follow-up. The findings indicate that AoP programs can support wellbeing and transitional processes when accompanied by careful design, safeguarding, system integration, and sustained support.</p>}},
author = {{Hejlesen, Ida Flagstad and Jensen, Anita}},
issn = {{2589-0042}},
keywords = {{education; health sciences; psychiatry; psychology; social sciences}},
language = {{eng}},
month = {{04}},
number = {{4}},
publisher = {{Elsevier}},
series = {{iScience}},
title = {{The role of arts on prescription in supporting young adults’ mental health and life transitions}},
url = {{http://dx.doi.org/10.1016/j.isci.2026.115463}},
doi = {{10.1016/j.isci.2026.115463}},
volume = {{29}},
year = {{2026}},
}