Overview

• The review synthesized data from 38 studies involving 6,805 participants, offering the first comprehensive evaluation of art viewing's mental health benefits.
• Researchers identified five psychological mechanisms—affective, cognitive, social, self-transformative, and resilience-building—that explain how art viewing supports well-being.
• The benefits of viewing art were observed across diverse settings, including museums, hospitals, and virtual reality environments, and with various art forms like paintings, sculptures, and photography.
• The study introduced the RAARR guidelines to standardize future research and improve methodological consistency in the field.
• Authors called on policymakers and healthcare providers to integrate art viewing into public health and clinical care as a low-cost, accessible mental health resource.