Developing a psychological understanding of museum object handling groups in older adult mental health inpatient care

An emerging body of evidence indicates that museum object handling sessions offer short term benefits to people in health care settings.
The aim of this study was to further understanding of the psychological and social aspects of a museum object handling group held in an older adult mental health setting.
Older adults (N = 42) from a psychiatric inpatient ward with a diagnosis of depression or anxiety took part in one or more of a series of nine museum object handling group sessions. Audio recordings of the sessions were subjected to a thematic analysis.
Five main themes were identified: “responding to object focused questions”, “learning about objects and from each other”, “enjoyment, enrichment through touch and privilege”, “memories, personal associations and identity” and “imagination and storytelling”. The first four themes were congruent with existing literature associated with positive wellbeing and engagement outcomes. Imagination and storytelling was a new finding in the group context.
This study offers preliminary support for museum object handling group sessions as an intervention in this healthcare setting. There may be potential to develop the therapeutic aspects of the sessions. Further research is recommended and areas for enquiry discussed.