Abstract
INTRODUCTION: Arts and cultural strategies have increasingly been engaged by the public health sector to enhance social cohesion, health, and well-being, as well as to address the significant health risks posed by social isolation and loneliness. While numerous studies document relationships between arts participation and social cohesion or well-being, few studies have investigated the relationships between all three and, to date, no evidence synthesis has been conducted on this topic. METHODS: To address this gap, this integrative review aimed to identify, describe, and synthesize research on arts participation, social cohesion, and well-being in a community context by addressing the question: what is the evidence base regarding relationships between arts participation, social cohesion, and well-being? Literature searches were conducted using 10 databases, and analyses included descriptive statistics, thematic analysis and content-mechanism-outcomes analysis. RESULTS: A total of 18 articles - 16 original research articles and two reviews - from 12 countries met inclusion criteria. Results provide insights on modes and forms of arts participation used to address social cohesion and well-being and suggest that SC may function as a mechanism for enhancing community well-being. Themes highlight the value of physical engagement in community spaces and culturally-rooted programming, the virtuous cycle of commitment and benefit that can be cultivated by co-creation and social relationships, and how social cohesion can serve as a mechanism for enhancing well-being. DISCUSSION: This study's insights related to how the arts can build social cohesion and, in turn, enhance well-being can guide design of community-based programs. Prospective studies are needed to test these relationships as well as the potential role of social cohesion as a mechanism for building well-being in communities through arts participation.