Exploring arts-health ecologies in the very remote Barkly Region of Australia.

INTRODUCTION: This article explores links between arts, health, and wellbeing for diverse First Nations and non-Indigenous peoples living in the very remote Barkly Region of the Northern Territory in Australia. The article stems from a major 3-year study of the Barkly arts sector conducted in partnership with Barkly Regional Arts and Regional Development Australia Northern Territory. Key findings relate to an arts-health ecology evident in the region, the interdependence between artists' own health and their arts activity, the value of arts spaces as places of safety and refuge, and the potential of the arts to promote cultural and intercultural healing and development. We discuss these findings in the context of relevant literature and make suggestions for future arts-health and wellbeing related research, policy and practice in rural and remote contexts. METHODS: This study employed an ecological mixed-methods research design, including quantitative and qualitative survey and interview data collection as well as collaborative, data-driven thematic analysis. The ecological approach was used to map a variety of creative practices through a broad range of art forms. Commercial, amateur and subsidised art and creative practices were included in this study and represented the multicultural population of the Barkly Region (both First Nations and non-Indigenous peoples). Arts and creativity in the region were recognized as a complex ecology that saw individuals, businesses, organisations and government working in different ways to sustain culture and contribute to social and economic development. RESULTS: Research participants from diverse cultural backgrounds recognised health and wellbeing benefits of arts and creative activity. Arts participation and engagement were reported to have intrinsic individual health and wellbeing effects such as mental health and mindfulness, emotional regulation, enjoyment, and relief of physical and emotional pain and stress alongside promoting spiritual connection to self, culture and community. The study indicates that the arts can also shape powerful determinants of health and wellbeing such as employment, poverty, racism, social inclusion, and natural and built environments. Barkly arts-health ecology featured extensive involvement from health and human service and arts organisations, which provided a strong foundation for inclusive, healing and holistic regional development. CONCLUSION: This study has outlined how arts and creative activity contribute to holistic regional development in the Barkly desert region, an area with a high percentage of First Nations peoples. Arts and creative activity were reported to have intrinsic health and wellbeing effects for individuals, which included mental health and mindfulness, emotional regulation, enjoyment, and relief of physical and emotional pain and stress as well as promoting spiritual connection to self, others and environment. Arts activities were also seen to shape powerful determinants of health and wellbeing such as employment, poverty, racism, social inclusion, and natural and built environments.

Effect of out-of-school visual art activities on academic performance. The mediating role of socioeconomic status.

The application of visual art and other extracurricular activities to children's sustainable development is predominantly discussed in Western countries. Consequently, non-Western society could not cherish the benefit of visual art on their children's cognitive and non-cognitive skill development due to a lack of evidence that would revive the community, educators, and policy-makers' impressions about visual art activities, in addition to its amusement use. Thus, the present study adopted a cross-sectional study comprised of a large-scale survey (N = 1624) taken from the southwest part of China to assess the impact of out-of-school visual art activities on children's academic attainment across economically advantaged and disadvantaged children. Astonishingly, the study's findings shed light on current Chinese parents' dedication to purchasing out-of-school activities regardless of their social class difference; notwithstanding, lower-class parents ought to learn that spending time with their children during their activities is more beneficial. The study's implication calls for curriculum policy reform involving aesthetic education and expanding community youth centers for different extracurricular activities.

Creativity, Connection, and Community: Reimagining the Radiology Society Meeting.

RATIONALE AND OBJECTIVES: With the shifting needs of radiologists due to escalating healthcare demands, the impetus for an increased focus on wellness and the benefits of the humanities in medicine inspired a novel approach to curricular planning of the 2023 Association of University Radiologists (AUR) annual meeting. In this manuscript, we describe the creative process behind planning and executing this innovative meeting format. MATERIALS AND METHODS: Reimagining the annual meeting was a collaborative effort centered around the development of an innovative Arts and Wellness Program, with the goal of integrating opportunities for artistic expression and experiential wellness throughout the meeting. RESULTS: Of the 1313 meeting attendees, 423 (32.2%) completed the annual meeting evaluation, of which 244 were in-person and 61 attended virtually. 178 of 423 respondents (42.1%) participated in the arts and wellness programming. 160 of 203 respondents (78.9%) reported that the arts and wellness programming enhanced the overall meeting experience. 164 of 197 respondents (83.2%) gained greater appreciation for the talents of radiology colleagues. 97 of 195 respondents (49.7%) stated that the programming gave them ideas as to how to cope effectively with stress. CONCLUSION: The incorporation of art, music, and other wellness activities into a national radiology meeting was well-received by meeting attendees. For many radiologists who participated in the various musical and artistic offerings at the AUR 2023 meeting, sharing artistic talents with the radiology community and colleagues represented the most fundamental way to be fully seen, express authenticity, and connect with others.

Medical representations in Mexican muralism. Medical-historical analysis of the murals at La Raza National Medical Center General Hospital.

BACKGROUND: In 1944, the call for the construction of "La Raza" Hospital in Mexico City was launched. The project included the proposal to create two murals, and the artists who were invited to participate were Diego Rivera and David Alfaro Siqueiros, who, with their work, bore testimony to the advent of modern medicine and the construction of the social security model in force in Mexico. OBJECTIVE: To determine how mural art is historically linked to medicine in Mexico and how they complement each other, considering two works carried out at the same time and in the same hospital. MATERIAL AND METHODS: Analysis of the historical context and iconographic and iconological analysis of "La Raza" Hospital murals. RESULTS: It was possible to clarify the relationship of the artists with medicine and the role murals play within the modern vision of medicine. CONCLUSIONS: Mural art is intertwined with medicine because it bears witness to the advent of the construction of the social security model currently in force in Mexico, since hospitals became social achievements of the State and were to be known as symbols of welfare and modernity in Mexico.

ANTECEDENTES: En 1944 se lanzó la convocatoria para la construcción del Hospital de Zona Número 1 "La Raza" en el Distrito Federal, México. El proyecto incluyó la propuesta de realizar dos murales y los artistas invitados a participar fueron Diego Rivera y David Alfaro Siqueiros, quienes con su obra dieron testimonio del advenimiento de la medicina moderna y de la construcción del modelo de seguridad social vigente en México. OBJETIVO: Determinar cómo se enlaza históricamente el arte mural con la medicina en México y cómo se complementan entre sí, considerando dos trabajos realizados en la misma época y en el mismo hospital. MATERIAL Y MÉTODOS: Análisis del contexto histórico y análisis iconográfico e iconológico de los murales del Hospital "La Raza". RESULTADOS: Se logró esclarecer cuál fue la relación de los artistas con la medicina y qué papel desempeñan los murales dentro de la visión moderna de la medicina. CONCLUSIONES: El arte mural se entrelaza con la medicina porque da testimonio del advenimiento de la construcción del modelo de seguridad social vigente en México, ya que los hospitales se convirtieron en logros sociales del Estado y se dieron a conocer como símbolos de bienestar y modernidad en México.

Arts and culture engagement for health: a Danish population-based study.

OBJECTIVES: Global health challenges are complex and new approaches are pivotal. Engagement in arts and cultural activities is commonplace across different cultures, and research shows associations with benefits for health and wellbeing. Using the arts for health promotion and prevention of illness has increased worldwide. STUDY DESIGN: A population-based study. METHODS: Data were obtained from the Danish Health and Wellbeing Survey in 2019. A self-administered questionnaire was sent to 14,000 randomly selected adults (aged ≥15 years). The questionnaire included items on self-rated health and frequency of participation in various cultural activities (concerts or musical events; participation in a choir, band, or orchestra; theatre show or other performing arts; cinema; art museum or exhibition; library). A cultural participation index was calculated based on the six questions on cultural activities. Logistic regression models were fitted to examine the associations between the index and good self-rated health, adjusting for relevant covariates. RESULTS: In total, 6629 individuals completed the questionnaire (47.4%). The most frequent activity, used at least once a month, was visiting a library. A strong association between the cultural participation index and self-reported health was observed. A one-point-higher index score was associated with a 10% higher likelihood of having good self-reported health (adjusted odds ratio: 1.10; 95% confidence interval: 1.08-1.12). CONCLUSIONS: This study supports the understanding that engagement in arts and cultural activities is beneficial for self-rated good health. Individuals with higher frequency of arts and culture engagement were more likely to report good health than those with lower engagement.

Validity of Visuoconstructional Assessment Methods within Healthy Elderly Greek Australians: Quantitative and Error Analysis.

AIMS: Visuospatial skills are frequently assessed with drawing tests. Research has suggested that the use of drawing tasks in low educated groups may lack the ability to discriminate healthy individuals from clinical populations. The aims of this study were to investigate the validity of visuoconstructional tests in a sample of older Greek Australian immigrants and compare their performances to a matched sample of patients with Alzheimer's disease (ad). METHOD: We assessed visuoconstructional performances in a sample of 90 healthy older Greek Australians, with a primary school level of education, and compared performances to a demographically matched sample of 20 Greek Australians with a diagnosis of ad on four visuoconstructional drawing tests: Greek cross, four-pointed star, intersecting pentagons, and the Necker Cube. RESULTS: While healthy participants tended to outperform the ad group on most copy tasks, high fail rates within the healthy sample were observed for the intersecting pentagons and Necker cube (78% and 73% fail rates, respectively) when using established clinical cut-off scores. High rates of curved angle, omission, distorted relation between elements, spatial disorganization and three-dimensional design errors were found across the four-pointed star, intersecting pentagons, and the Necker cube in both healthy participants and those with ad. Exploratory receiver operating characteristic curve analysis revealed that, with perhaps the exception of the Greek cross, meaningful sensitivity and specificity could not be reached for the four-pointed star, intersecting pentagons, and Necker cube. CONCLUSION: Cognitively healthy immigrants with low education appear to be at a disadvantage when completing visuoconstructional drawing tests, as their performance may be misinterpreted as indicating cognitive impairment. Future research is needed to identify alternative approaches to assess visuoconstructional ability in culturally and linguistically diverse older cohorts with limited education.

Connecting the dots: The state of arts and health in Singapore.

Background: This article examines the state of the field of arts and health in Singapore and identifies the drivers that have shaped its development to date, adding new insights from Asia to the growing international literature in this area. Methods: Various methods, including an online survey and in-depth focus groups were used. Results: We find that the field in Singapore is rapidly growing, with a proliferation of activities across the arts and culture, healthcare, and social care sectors in recent decades fostered by various policy developments, increased funding and new peer-to-peer networking. Nevertheless, several issues persist, including inconsistent understanding and conceptualisation of the field as a whole across multiple stakeholders, limited research capacity and training platforms, and lack of professional recognition. Conclusions: We provide recommendations for further action, including developing arts and health literacy and research capacity, investing in efforts to bridge education and practice, and focusing on formalising and elevating professional standards.

Notas para decolonizar os estudos transpessoais no brasil: contribuições do pluriperspectivismo participativo / Notes for decolonizing transpersonal studies in brazil: contributions of participatory pluriperspectivism / Apuntes para la decolonización de los estudios transpersonales en brasil: aportes del pluriperspectivismo participativo

O campo dos estudos transpessoais tem avançado em diversas áreas no Brasil. Comemorou seus 40 anos com uma inserção ativa nas Instituições de Ensino Superior (IES) e uma ampliação de núcleos formativos e apoiadores de ensino, pesquisa e ações sociais, além de diálogos com o Sistema de Conselhos de Psicologia. Desafios são apresentados a partir do levantamento de uma série de questões importantes e ignoradas dentro da Psicologia Transpessoal no Brasil. Apresentamos o pluriperspectivismo participativo como possibilidade de decolonizar as matrizes eurocêntricas e estadunidenses, que dão suporte ao pensamento transpessoal brasileiro, buscando honrar nossas raízes históricas e incluir outras epistemologias e ontologias, que dão continuidade à crítica à lógica cartesiana moderna. Indicamos uma breve agenda de notas temáticas que carecem de um processo decolonizador no campo transpessoal: a) crítica às perspectivas de um pensamento hegemônico, em termos globais por meio da dominação Norte-Sul ou no campo das relações sociais; b) revisão das formas de "centrocentrismo"; c) questionamento da noção de universalismo das ciências e da ética; d) aprofundamento da análise crítica da supremacia restritiva da racionalidade formal técnico-científica em relação às formas de subjetividade, de vivências holísticas e integradoras e de valorização do corpo; e) revisão da noção de sujeito moderno desprovida da cocriação do humano com a comunidade, a história, a natureza e o cosmos.(AU)

The field of transpersonal studies has advanced in several areas in Brazil. It celebrated its 40th anniversary with an active insertion in Higher Education Institutions (HEI) and an expansion of training centers and supporters of teaching, research, and social actions, in addition to dialogues with the System of Councils of Psychology. Challenges are presented based on a survey of a series of important and ignored issues within Transpersonal Psychology in Brazil. We present participatory pluriperspectivism as a possibility to decolonize the Eurocentric and North American matrices that support Brazilian transpersonal thought, seeking to honor our historical roots and include other epistemologies and ontologies, which continue the critique of modern Cartesian logic. We indicate a brief agenda of thematic notes that lack a decolonizing process in the transpersonal field: a) criticism of the perspectives of a hegemonic thought, whether in global terms via North-South domination or in the field of social relations; b) review of the forms of "centrocentrism"; c) questioning of the notion of universalism of science and ethics; d) deepening of the critical analysis of the restrictive supremacy of the technical-scientific formal rationality in relation to the forms of subjectivity, of holistic and integrative experiences, and of valuing the body; e) review of the notion of the modern subject devoid of the co-creation of the human with the community, the history, the nature, and the cosmos.(AU)

El campo de los estudios transpersonales ha avanzado en varias áreas de Brasil. Se celebró su 40.º aniversario con una inserción activa en Instituciones de Educación Superior (IES) y una ampliación de los centros de formación y promotores de la docencia, la investigación y la acción social, además de diálogos con el Sistema de Consejos de Psicología. Los desafíos se presentan a partir de una encuesta de una serie de temas importantes e ignorados dentro de la Psicología Transpersonal en Brasil. Presentamos el pluriperspectivismo participativo como una posibilidad para decolonizar las matrices eurocéntrica y americana, que sustentan el pensamiento transpersonal brasileño, buscando honrar nuestras raíces históricas e incluir otras epistemologías y ontologías que continúan la crítica de la lógica cartesiana moderna. Indicamos una breve agenda de apuntes temáticos que carecen de un proceso decolonizador en el campo transpersonal: a) crítica de las perspectivas de un pensamiento hegemónico, ya sea en términos globales a través del dominio Norte-Sur o en el campo de las relaciones sociales; b) revisión de las formas de "centrocentrismo"; c) cuestionamiento de la noción de universalismo de la ciencia y la ética; d) profundización del análisis crítico de la supremacía restrictiva de la racionalidad formal técnico-científica en relación a las formas de subjetividad, de experiencias holísticas e integradoras y de valoración del cuerpo; e) revisión de la noción de sujeto moderno desprovisto de la cocreación de lo humano con la comunidad, la historia, la naturaleza y el cosmos.(AU)

Produções literárias e audiovisuais nas periferias de Fortaleza: (re)inventando territórios de infâncias e juventudes periféricas / Literary and audiovisual productions on the peripheries of Fortaleza: (re)inventing peripheral childhood and youth territo

Este artigo tem como objetivo discutir a reinvenção de territórios das infâncias e juventudes periféricas a partir de fotografias e poemas produzidos pelo fotógrafo Leo Silva e pelo poeta Talles Azigon (identificados após a aprovação do artigo) como modo de re-existência em Fortaleza. São problematizações advindas da realização de uma pesquisa-inter(in)venção de ethos cartográfico, junto a esses jovens, em que as imagens e os poemas emergem como dispositivos lúdicos na produção de movimentos contra-hegemônicos frente às "imagens oficiais" historicamente impostas sobre as periferias. Por meio dessas fotografias e poemas, e, portanto, da arte, a reivindicação dos territórios retrata e narra infâncias e juventudes de periferias de Fortaleza a partir de suas potências e não de suas precarizações. Como experimentação, o artigo foi produzido a partir desses poemas e fotografias, além de contar com as participações de (a ser identificado, caso o artigo seja aceito, pois atua como participante da escrita do artigo) e (a ser identificado, caso o artigo seja aceito, pois atua como participante da escrita do artigo) na elaboração do texto como um movimento decolonial de (des)habitar a escrita acadêmica.

This article aims to discuss the reinvention of territories of peripheral childhoods and youths based on photographs and poems produced by photographer Leo Silva and poet Talles Azigon (identified after acceptance of the article) as a way of re-existing in Fortaleza. These are problematizations arising from the realization of an inter(in)vention research of cartographic ethos, with these young people, in which images and poems emerge as playful devices in the production of counter-hegemonic movements against the "official images" historically imposed on the peripheries. Through these photographs and poems, and, therefore, through art, the claim of territories portrays and narrates childhoods and youths on the outskirts of Fortaleza from their strengths and not from their precariousness. As an experiment, the article was produced from these poems and photographs, in addition to counting on the participation of (to be identified if the article is accepted, as it acts as a participant in the writing of the article) and (to be identified if the article is accepted, as it acts as a participant in the writing of the article) in the elaboration of the text as a decolonial movement (dis)inhabiting academic writing.

Apropriação dos espaços urbanos na infância e na velhice em Brasília (DF) / Occupation of urban spaces in childhood and old age in Brasilia, Brazil / Apropiación de espacios urbanos en la infancia y en la vejez en Brasília, Brasil

Os estudos sobre as relações mútuas entre as pessoas e o ambiente buscam subsidiar melhorias no contexto urbano a partir de métodos e técnicas pautados na compreensão do uso de espaços públicos e privados. A crescente demanda pela promoção de ambientes amigáveis para idosos e crianças nos cenários urbanos direcionou esta pesquisa e elencou dois componentes: o panorama relativo à população local e o arcabouço teórico da psicologia ambiental. Para tanto, buscou-se identificar as principais atividades realizadas por crianças e idosos em seus respectivos locais de moradia. Foram avaliados os principais usos e atividades desses dois grupos, em duas vizinhanças, diferenciando-os de acordo com suas especificidades em termos de demandas individuais e ambientais. As observações sistemáticas a partir da técnica de mapeamento comportamental centrado no lugar (MCCL) ocorreram na cidade de Brasília, Distrito Federal (DF) e permitiram compreender o processo de apropriação dos espaços na infância e na velhice e suas repercussões em termos da congruência pessoa-ambiente. Cada um destes setores organizados a partir de elementos específicos direciona as ações dos participantes para determinados tipos de comportamentos, observados de maneira a compor um roteiro em que a brincadeira (lazer ativo) surge como central na infância e a caminhada (circulação) como mais potente para a população idosa. Os resultados demonstram que o diálogo entre a psicologia ambiental e a ciência do desenvolvimento humano tem sido bastante profícuo e tem contribuído para a compreensão de aspectos da relação pessoa-ambiente em diferentes momentos do ciclo de vida.(AU)

Studies on the mutual relations between people and the environment seek to support improvements in the urban context from methods and techniques based on understanding the use of public and private spaces. The growing demand for the promotion of friendly urban environments for older people and children guided this research, with two notable components: the panorama related to the local population and the theoretical framework of Environmental Psychology. Therefore, we sought to identify the main activities carried out by children and older people in their respective dwellings. The main uses and activities of these two groups were evaluated in two neighborhoods, differentiating them according to their specificities in terms of individual and environmental demands. Systematic observations using the place-centered behavioral mapping technique took place in the city of Brasília, Federal District, and allowed us to understand the process of appropriation of spaces in childhood and old age and its repercussions in terms of person-environment congruence. Each of these sectors, organized from specific elements, directs the participants' actions towards certain types of behavior, observed in order to compose a script in which playing (active leisure) emerges as central in childhood and walking (circulation) as more potent for the older people. The results demonstrated that the dialogue between environmental psychology and the science of human development has been very fruitful and has contributed to the understanding of aspects of the person-environment relationship at different times in the life cycle.(AU)

Los estudios sobre las relaciones mutuas entre las personas y el medio ambiente buscan aportar mejoras en el contexto urbano mediante métodos y técnicas basados en la comprensión del uso de los espacios públicos y privados. La creciente demanda de la promoción de ambientes amigables para las personas mayores y los niños en entornos urbanos guio esta investigación y enumeró dos componentes: el panorama relacionado con la población local y el marco teórico de la Psicología Ambiental. En este contexto, buscamos identificar las principales actividades que realizan los niños y las personas mayores en sus respectivas viviendas. Se evaluaron los principales usos y actividades de estos dos grupos en dos barrios, diferenciándolos según sus especificidades en cuanto a las demandas individuales y ambientales. Las observaciones sistemáticas utilizando la técnica de mapeo conductual centrado en el lugar (MCCL) ocurrieron en la ciudad de Brasília, Distrito Federal (Brasil) y nos permitieron comprender el proceso de apropiación de espacios en la infancia y la vejez y sus repercusiones en la congruencia persona-ambiente. Cada uno de estos sectores, organizados a partir de elementos específicos, orienta las acciones de los participantes hacia determinados comportamientos, observados para componer un guion en el que el juego (ocio activo) emerge como central en la infancia y el caminar (circulación) como el más potente para las personas mayores. Los resultados demuestran que el diálogo entre la Psicología Ambiental y la ciencia del desarrollo humano ha sido muy fructífero y ha contribuido a la comprensión de aspectos de la relación persona-entorno en diferentes momentos del ciclo de vida.(AU)

Can we really 'read' art to see the changing brain? A review and empirical assessment of clinical case reports and published artworks for systematic evidence of quality and style changes linked to damage or neurodegenerative disease.

The past three decades have seen multiple reports of people with neurodegenerative disorders, or other forms of changes in their brains, who also show putative changes in how they approach and produce visual art. Authors argue that these cases may provide a unique body of evidence, so-called 'artistic signatures' of neurodegenerative diseases, that might be used to understand disorders, provide diagnoses, be employed in treatment, create patterns of testable hypotheses for causative study, and also provide unique insight into the neurobiological linkages between the mind, brain, body, and the human penchant for art-making itself. However-before we can begin to meaningfully build from such emerging findings, much less formulate applications-not only is such evidence currently quite disparate and in need of systematic review, almost all case reports and artwork ratings are entirely subjective, based on authors' personal observations or a sparse collection of methods that may not best fit underlying research aims. This leads to the very real question of whether we might actually find patterns of systematic change if fit to a rigorous review-Can we really 'read' art to illuminate possible changes in the brain? How might we best approach this topic in future neuroscientific, clinical, and art-related research? This paper presents a review of this field and answer to these questions. We consider the current case reports for seven main disorders-Alzheimer's and Parkinson's disease, frontotemporal and Lewy body dementia, corticobasal degeneration, aphasia, as well as stroke-consolidating arguments for factors and changes related to art-making and critiquing past methods. Taking the published artworks from these papers, we then conduct our own assessment, employing computerized and human-rater-based approaches, which we argue represent best practice to identify stylistic or creativity/quality changes. We suggest, indeed, some evidence for systematic patterns in art-making for specific disorders and also find that case authors showed rather high agreement with our own assessments. More important, through opening this topic and past evidence to a systematic review, we hope to open a discussion and provide a theoretical and empirical foundation for future application and research on the intersection of art-making and the neurotypical, the changed, and the artistic brain.

Research on the Innovative Development of Network Literature and Art under the Background of Mobile Digitalization.

The development of the times, the advancement of technology, and the innovation of the Internet have formed the soil for the growth of network literature and art. At present, there are still problems in the network literature and art, such as mixed fish and dragons, low quality, emphasis on entertainment, and weak responsibility, but its development is expected. Network literature and art is the product of the combination of literature and art and the development of science and technology. Meanwhile, network literature and art are an important part of social and economic development. It needs to seize the new opportunities of mobile digital technology to empower the creation, production, and dissemination of online literary and artistic works. Control the quality of online literature and art, guide its positive dissemination, and make it contribute to the prosperity of the entire Chinese literature and art.

The 'becomings': singing and songwriting with mothers and midwives at South-East Queensland.

: How can songwriting show us the meaning of music and language for health and wellbeing in culturally and linguistically diverse mothers? This article examines the artistic processes in music-cum-health workshops involving new and expectant mothers and their midwives. The voices of the mothers of colour have been silenced historically and systemically. To give them social justice in a health context, singing is a powerful tool and songwriting links this tool to useful health messages. Through this article, the formation of a song on the placenta, a key part of the womb in childbearing, is traced through the stories of a music facilitator, a mother and a midwife. The storying highlights the importance of artistic processes for understanding the person within and their cultural identity. The article argues that cultural understanding of the participants in such arts-in-health programmes is important for socially just models of health care for those at the margins. SUMMARY: From being instrumentalized as interventions that are 'administered' with an aim to garner health outcomes, art-based participatory approaches are now recognized as capable of activating culturally founded wellbeing in individuals. Through this article, I propose that as the focus shifts from what art does for health to what art means for a healthy life, the cultural vitality inherent in individuals and societies can be better championed in arts-in-health discourses. I discuss the artistic processes in singing and songwriting in a perinatal context involving mothers from culturally and linguistically diverse backgrounds and their midwives. I argue for lenses to better understand the role of cultural practices in health research involving migrant and refugee communities. Using narrative inquiry, I trace intersecting trajectories wherein the storied life of a coloured mother is intercepted by that of a midwife, and of myself, a coloured female mother-researcher and facilitator. At the intersection emerges a song, as a process and product. This article advances that it is when artmaking processes are centred that the voices from the margins become heard, and it is when their voices are amplified that health research design becomes equitable and ethically sound.

Presença comum: dispositivos para invenção na formação em Saúde / Common presence: invention devices in health education and training / Presencia común: dispositivos para invención en la formación en salud

Movidos pelo desejo de arriscar a invenção com o que se tinha à mão, realizamos um projeto de pesquisa e extensão universitária denominado Metodologias da Presença para estudantes em formação da área da Saúde. Tratou-se de uma plataforma remota de criação para encorajar os participantes a produzir e compartilhar exercícios artísticos por meio de três ativações de presença. Esta experiência contou com a participação de uma comunidade provisória. Impulsionados pela prática limiar pedagógica e artística, seguimos indagando como foi possível a instauração desse estado sensível e vitalizador no grupo? Que tipos de composição impulsionaram as transformações singulares e coletivas mediante a materialização das produções artísticas? Quais as distintas qualidades de presença que puderam ser ali mobilizadas? A produção artística, a presença comum e a construção de grupalidade podem existir em comunicações tecnomediadas na formação em Saúde?(AU)

Driven by the desire to take the risk of inventing with what is at hand, we conducted a research and university outreach project for health students called "Methodologies of Presence". We developed a remote content creation platform to encourage participants to produce and share artistic exercises from three presence activations. The experience included the participation of a temporary community. Propelled by threshold pedagogical and artistic practice, we inquired how was it possible to establish this sensitive and vitalizing state within the group. What types of composition drove the singular and collective transformations spurred by the materialization of artistic productions? Which different qualities of presence were mobilized? Can artistic production, common presence, and the construction of groupality exist within techno-mediated communications in health education and training?(AU)

Movidos por el deseo de arriesgar la invención con lo que estaba a mano, realizamos un proyecto de investigación y extensión universitaria denominado "Metodologías de la presencia" para estudiantes en formación del área de la salud. Se trató de una plataforma remota de creación para alentar a los participantes a producir y compartir ejercicios artísticos a partir de tres activaciones de presencia. Esta experiencia contó con la participación de una comunidad provisional. Impulsados por la práctica inicial pedagógica y artística, continuamos indagando: ¿Cómo fue posible la instauración de ese estado sensible y vitalizador en el grupo? ¿Qué tipos de composición impulsaron las transformaciones singulares y colectivas a partir de la materialización de las producciones artísticas? ¿Cuáles fueron las distintas cualidades de presencia que pudieron movilizarse? ¿La producción artística, la presencia común y la construcción de grupalidad pueden existir en comunicaciones tecnomediadas en la formación en salud?(AU)

Percepção de queixa vocal e autoavaliação do impacto de um problema de voz em atores profissionais de teatro / Perceived vocal complaint and self- assessment of the vocal problem impact in professional theater actors

RESUMO Objetivo investigar a ocorrência de queixa vocal autorreferida no uso profissional da voz em atores profissionais de teatro; correlacionar presença de queixa vocal com três protocolos de autoavaliação do impacto de uma alteração vocal: Escala de Sintomas Vocais (ESV), Escala de Desconforto do Trato Vocal (EDTV) e Índice de Desvantagem Vocal -10 (IDV-10); verificar quais protocolos são mais robustos à detecção do impacto de possível disfonia nessa população. Métodos Participaram 75 atores profissionais de teatro, ambos os gêneros, 18 a 64 anos. Os atores informaram a presença ou ausência de queixa vocal e responderam a três protocolos de autoavaliação: Escala de Sintomas Vocais (ESV), Escala de Desconforto do Trato Vocal (EDTV) e Índice de Desvantagem Vocal-10 (IDV-10). Resultados constatou-se que 25% dos atores apresentaram queixa vocal. O grupo com queixa (GCQ) apresentou maior número de sintomas vocais e maior frequência e intensidade de desconforto de trato vocal, quando comparado ao grupo sem queixa (GSQ). IDV-10 não identificou desvantagem vocal nos grupos. No GCQ, houve correlação forte entre ESV e IDV-10 e correlação muito forte entre os escores de frequência e intensidade da EDTV. No GSQ, houve correlação moderada entre ESV e EDTV, ESV e IDV-10 e correlação muito forte entre os escores de frequência e intensidade da EDTV. Conclusão neste estudo, 25% dos atores profissionais de teatro apresentaram queixa vocal. A correlação entre a queixa vocal e os protocolos foi positiva e variou de moderada à forte. No GCQ, a ESV e a EDTV foram instrumentos mais robustos na detecção do impacto de uma possível disfonia.

ABSTRACT Purpose To investigate the occurrence of self-reported vocal complaints in the professional use of the voice in professional theater actors; analyze the correlation between the presence of vocal complaint and three self-assessment protocols of the vocal problem impact; The Voice Symptom Scale (VoiSS), the Vocal Tract Discomfort (VTD) scale and the Voice Handicap Index -10 (VHI -10); verify the most robust protocols to identify dysphonia in this population. Methods The participants were 75 professional theater actors, men and women, between 18 and 64 years old. They answered to a questioner informing presence or absence of vocal complaint and to three self-assessment protocols: VoiSS, VTD and VHI-10. Results 25% of the actors presented vocal complaints. The group with vocal complaint (GwVC) had more voice symptoms and higher frequency and intensity of vocal tract discomfort than the group with no vocal complaint (GnVC). No group presented voice handicap considering the VHI-10 and a very high correlation between the VTD frequency and intensity scores. The GnVC presented moderate correlation between the VoiSS and the VTD, moderate correlation between the VoiSS and the VHI-10 and, a very high correlation between the VTD frequency and intensity scores. Conclusion In this study, 25% of professional theater actors presented vocal complaints. The correlation between vocal complaints and protocols was positive and ranged from moderate to strong. The VoiSS and the VTD were more robust identify dysphonia in the GwVC.

Solidarity economy and mental health in Brazil: producing culture for autonomy / Economia solidária e saúde mental no Brasil: produzindo cultura para autonomia

Abstract This text approaches the articulation between solidarity economy practices and the production of citizenship and autonomy among individuals in psychosocial suffering, through an artistic/cultural production. The confluence between public mental healthcare and associated work as an alternative to labor insertion for people suffering from mental disease is, although still challenging, very important in Brazil. We analyze two consolidated experiences, each extending over a period of two decades: The Suburban Madness group in the city of Rio de Janeiro, and GeraçãoPOA in Porto Alegre, both Brazilian capitals of the states of Rio de Janeiro and Rio Grande do Sul, respectively. The relevance of this research lies in showing the fruitful intersections between social movements, public health care, and arts, especially now that Brazil is facing a period of authoritarianism, which places at risk the democratic achievements of both public policies and social movements.

Resumo Este texto aborda a articulação entre práticas de economia solidária e a produção de cidadania e autonomia entre indivíduos em sofrimento psicossocial, por meio da produção artística/cultural. A confluência entre a saúde mental pública e o trabalho associado como alternativa à inserção laboral para pessoas que sofrem de doença mental é, embora ainda desafiadora, muito importante no Brasil. São analisadas duas experiências consolidadas, cada uma com duração de duas décadas: o grupo Loucura Suburbana, na cidade do Rio de Janeiro, e o GeraçãoPOA, em Porto Alegre, ambas capitais brasileiras dos estados do Rio de Janeiro e Rio Grande do Sul, respectivamente. A relevância desta pesquisa reside em mostrar as interseções frutíferas entre movimentos sociais, serviços de saúde pública e artes, especialmente agora que o Brasil está enfrentando um período de autoritarismo que põe em risco as conquistas democráticas de políticas públicas e movimentos sociais.

Difference in predictors and barriers to arts and cultural engagement with age in the United States: A cross-sectional analysis using the Health and Retirement Study.

INTRODUCTION: Arts and cultural engagement are associated with a range of mental and physical health benefits, including promoting heathy aging and lower incidence of age-related disabilities such as slower cognitive decline and slower progression of frailty. This suggests arts engagement constitutes health-promoting behaviour in older age. However, there are no large-scale studies examining how the predictors of arts engagement vary with age. METHODS: Data from the Health and Retirement Study (2014) were used to identify sociodemographic, life satisfaction, social, and arts appreciation predictors of (1) frequency of arts engagement, (2) cultural attendance, (3) difficulty participating in the arts, and (4) being an interested non-attendee of cultural events. Logistic regression models were stratified by age groups [50-59, 60-69, ≥70] for the frequency of arts participation outcome and [50-69 vs ≥70] all other outcomes. RESULTS: Findings indicated a number of age-related predictors of frequent arts engagement, including gender, educational attainment, wealth, dissatisfaction with aging, and instrumental activities of daily living (iADL). For cultural event attendance, lower interest in the arts predicted lack of engagement across age groups, whereas higher educational attainment and more frequent religious service attendance became predictors in older age groups (≥ 70). Adults in both age groups were less likely to report difficulties engaging in the arts if they had lower neighbourhood safety, whilst poor self-rated health and low arts appreciation also predicted reduced likelihood of this outcome, but only in the younger (50-69) age group. Adults in the older (≥ 70) age group were more likely to be interested non-attendees of cultural events if they had higher educational attainment and less likely if they lived in neighbourhoods with low levels of safety. CONCLUSIONS: Our results suggest that certain factors become stronger predictors of arts and cultural engagement and barriers to engagement as people age. Further, there appear to be socioeconomic inequalities in engagement that may increase in older ages, with arts activities overall more accessible as individuals age compared to cultural engagement due to additional financial barriers and transportation barriers. Ensuring that these activities are accessible to people of all ages will allow older adults to benefit from the range of health outcomes gained from arts and cultural engagement.

Health benefits of "Thursdays at the Montreal Museum of Fine Arts": Results of a randomized clinical trial.

OBJECTIVE: . This study aims to examine and compare changes in frailty status, well-being and quality of life in community-dwelling older adults living in Montreal (Quebec, Canada) participating in a 3-month session of weekly "Thursdays at the Museum" and in their control counterparts who did not participate in art-based activities. METHODS: . 165 older community dwellers were recruited to a randomized controlled trial with two parallel groups (intervention versus control). The intervention was weekly participatory art-based activities over a 3-month period carried out at the Montreal Museum of Fine Arts (MMFA, Montreal, Quebec, Canada). Frailty, well-being and quality of life were assessed using standardized questionnaires completed at baseline (M0) and before the fifth (M1), ninth (M2) and twelfth (M3) workshops in the intervention group. The control group completed these questionnaires according to the same schedule. The outcomes were mean values of frailty, well-being and quality of life scores, as well as the distribution of frailty categories (vigorous versus mild, moderate and severe frailty) at M0, M1, M2 and M3. RESULTS: . The intervention group showed significant improvements in frailty, well-being and quality of life scores (P≤0.004) when compared with the control group. CONCLUSION: . The results suggest that the 3-month session of weekly "Thursdays at the Museum" may improve both physical and mental health in Montreal community-dwelling older adults.