Influence of an art museum visit on individuals’ psychological and physiological indicators of stress

ABSTRACT In recent years, museums have actively embraced their role in health and well-being. Although the interest in examining museums’ health impacts is growing, the field lacks robust evidence of measurable well-being benefits that would allow art museums to expand their social role and realize their health-enhancing potential for the communities they serve. The purpose of our study was to explore the influence of a brief art museum visit on people’s psychological and physiological indicators of stress, including self-reported stress, self-reported arousal, and saliva cortisol. A single group pre- and post-test approach was used, and data were collected through self-administered questionnaires and saliva samples (n = 31). Results demonstrated that average levels of self-reported stress and arousal were significantly reduced by a museum visit; levels of saliva cortisol were unchanged. The research suggests that art museums have an opportunity to strengthen their social role by becoming health and well-being resources for their communities.