Healing through art: a thematic synthesis within a quasi-systematic review of art's impact on adult mental well-being during the COVID-19 pandemic.

aimTo synthesise evidence on how both structured art therapy and informal creative engagement supported adult mental well-being during COVID-19-related isolation, and to evaluate their applicability across diverse populations and contexts.

methodA quasi-systematic review of qualitative studies from CINAHL, PsycInfo, and PubMed (2020-2024), analysed through thematic synthesis.

resultsAnalysis of seven studies identified five key themes: (1) emotional processing and expression through symbolic creation, (2) adaptive communication and nonverbal connection, (3) communal support and collective meaning-making, (4) empowerment and regaining agency, and (5) transformation of trauma into post-traumatic growth. Marginalised groups-including isolated elderly individuals, disabled adults, and low-income families-benefited significantly from both formal art therapy and informal artistic activities, which addressed barriers such as limited mobility, communication challenges, and social disconnection. DISCUSSION: Art-based interventions demonstrate potential as scalable, low-resource tools for mental health support, particularly for individuals experiencing isolation or other forms of vulnerability, such as disability or displacement. However, equitable implementation requires hybrid delivery models and cultural adaptation. While qualitative findings highlight art's capacity to externalise distress and sustain connection, methodological constraints (small homogenous samples) necessitate mixed-methods validation of long-term outcomes.

conclusionIntegrating art into public health frameworks could mitigate isolation-related psychological harm, particularly for marginalised groups. Future research should prioritise cross-cultural adaptation of interventions, community-led co-design, and studies that examine how social factors like disability, income, and cultural context intersect to shape the effectiveness of art-based mental health support. CLINICAL TRIAL NUMBER: Not applicable.