Wellbeing in the wild: co-creating context-sensitive wellbeing dimensions with a community of young artists

Abstract

Background: This study addresses the challenge of developing context-sensitive measures of wellbeing for young people. In collaboration with a youth-led musical enterprise, researchers worked with 18 young artists (aged 14–25) engaged in an urban community arts programme to co-produce wellbeing dimensions reflective of their lived experiences. Methods: An adapted Nominal Group Technique was used alongside iterative inductive thematic analysis to identify and prioritise key wellbeing dimensions. Results: The study revealed ten discrete dimensions of wellbeing that reflect the experiences of young people engaged in community arts. These dimensions highlight the significance of creative expression, cultural appreciation, community experiences, and social responsibility, elements aligned with wellbeing but rarely considered in standardised wellbeing frameworks. Conclusion: The study highlights the value of youth-led, situated approaches to defining dimensions of wellbeing, offering a framework that captures the creative and social dimensions in community arts contexts.