Impact of Opera on Resilience and Thriving in Serious Mental Illness: Pilot Evaluation of The Center Cannot Hold Part 2 and Resilience Workshop

TL;DR

This study explores how an opera performance and workshop impact mood and social connection in people with serious mental illness, showing positive effects on well-being.

Contribution

The study introduces a novel approach using opera and workshops to evaluate resilience and thriving in individuals with serious mental illness.

Findings

Opera attendees showed significant increases in positive affect and arousal after the performance.

Social connectedness and willingness to socialize with those with schizophrenia improved significantly.

Results suggest arts events may promote well-being and reduce stigma, though larger studies are needed.

Abstract

There are few studies of impacts of arts on recovery in schizphrenia, on audience mood and social connection. We developed a pilot evaluation of opera performances in a university setting on Elyn Saks’ journey from psychosis, teaching law and falling in love, coupled with pre-opera workshop on approaches to resilience. Using surveys, primary outcomes were pre and post affect (PANAS-X positive, negative; visual “affect grid” touchscreen for affective valence and arousal) and social connectedness with secondary outcomes of increasing understanding, reducing stigma and willingness to socialize or serve persons with mental illness. Of 107 live and 117 online attendees, 64 completed pre, 24 post, and 22 both surveys. Respondent characteristics were similar for those with pre and pre and post surveys: average age mid 50’s, half female, 10% sexual minority, half White/Caucasian, 13% Hispanic/Latino, 11% Black/African American and 20% Asian; of 22 with pre and post, 9 (41%) were providers. There were significant post–pre increases in positive affect (PANAS-X) and arousal (visual grid) and social connectedness (Cohen’s d = 0.82 to 1.24, each p < .001); and willingness to socialize with someone with schizophrenia (d = 0.68, p = .011). In this pilot evaluation of opera in a university auditorium, despite small sample sizes, there were significant post–pre increases in audience positive affect and social connection, which could reflect selection (those with positive response completing surveys) or may suggest that arts events promote well-being and connection, issues for future larger studies.

The online version contains supplementary material available at 10.1007/s10597-024-01248-9.

Full text

Introduction

Background

The literature on impacts of artworks in therapy and education, based largely on mixed methods, suggests that arts may reduce stigma of mental health conditions (Estroff et al., 2004; Fancourt & Finn, 2019; Heenan, 2006; Lenette et al., 2016; McLean et al., 2011; Ørjasæter et al., 2017; Torrissen, 2015). Further, arts may facilitate understanding or empathy partly by creating audience distance from the subject matter (Ayers et al., 2003; Margrove et al., 2013) while promoting positive atttitudes toward services use (Fancourt & Finn, 2019; Gronholm et al., 2017; Hacking et al., 2006; McLean et al., 2011; Parcesepe & Cabassa, 2013). This is an important issue as stigma may reduce access to care by affecting behavior of those in need, providers, and others (Henderson et al., 2013; Parcesepe & Cabassa, 2013). While effect sizes may be modest or short duration, qualitative studies suggest potential for long-term impact (Michalak et al., 2014). Opera is a complex art form integrating music, poetry and drama, with few studies on impacts (Fancourt & Finn, 2019).

Context and Framework

Through the Healing and Education through the Arts (HEArts) program (Mango et al., 2018) to develop artworks on mental health, collaborating in evaluation with the UCLA National Endowment for the Arts Research Lab (https://www.NEAResearch.ucla.edu), prior papers describe development and impact of operas on mental health themes, including complicated grief (“The First Lady,” Eleanor Roosevelt after death of Franklin), serious mental illness (“The Center Cannot Hold” on Elyn Saks’ memoire, Saks, 2007) and Veteran post-traumatic stress disorder and homeless (“Veteran Journeys”) (Skrine Jeffers et al., 2022; Bilder et al., 2022, Wells et al., 2021, 2022). Evaluations using pre and post surveys and post-discussion followed a conceptual framework of how artworks engage people in addressing mental health, reduce stigma, increase value of treatment, social support, and empathy, leading to positive affect and social connection (Bilder et al., 2022; Mango et al., 2018). Surveys tracked responses to features of events (opera, pre-event workshop) and characteristics of events, such as a “heroine’s journey” to enhance engagement (Allport, 1954; Patterson & Sextou, 2017; Pinfold et al., 2005; Quinn et al., 2011). Findings included significant post–pre opera increases in audience willingness to engage with persons with grief or schizophrenia, with mediators such as empathy greater for the opera on schizophrenia relative to grief; plus largely positive qualitative comments on audience learning from the opera on schizophrenia (Skrine Jeffers et al., 2022). Similarly, there was a post–pre significant increase in audience willinginess to engage Veterans with post-traumatic stress or unstable housing, including for those reporting personal experience of trauma or unstable housing. Qualitative comments were largely positive, with concerns expressed about viewing trauma and modern compositional style (Bilder et al., 2022). Findings may suggest that opera may be an effective vehicle to promote engagement with mental health issues with increases in positive affect and social connection.

Goals

Building on this framework and history, the goal was for a pilot evaluation of impact of a new opera presented in a university medical center auditorium on positive recovery from schizophrenia: “The Center Cannot Hold Part II: Recovery” based on Elyn Saks’ memoire (Saks, 2007). The events included a pre-workshop on community-partnered interventions for mental health resilience (Community Partners in Care on collaboration in care for depression, and Together for Wellness/Juntos por Nuestro Bienstar, on digital mental health resources in COVID-19, Wells et al., 2013, 2022). This pilot evaluation included audience pre and post surveys (focus of this paper) and post discussion (future qualitative paper).

Hypotheses

Consistent with prior studies, we hypothesized that the workshop and opera would increase audience members’ positive affect and sense of social connection as primary outcomes. For secondary/exploratory outcomes, we hypothesized that events would increase views of arts as effective in increasing understanding, reduce stigma of serious mental illness and increase willingness to provide services and make friends/socialize with persons with schizophrenia. We sought to describe audience experience through post survey items. Measures were selected and adapted from prior evaluations on arts on mental health (Bilder et al., 2022; Mango et al., 2018).

Methods

Design

This pilot study included pre- and post- surveys available to online registrants and live event attendees through QR codes, with an information sheet online and read at events by an investigator. Survey participation was voluntary and anonymous for persons 18 years or older (exclusion under 18), with data collection approved by UCLA’s Institutional Review Board. The workshop and opera were advertised by UCLA, cast, and community partners and Los Angeles County Department of Mental Health (LACDMH) Take Action LA for Mental Health initiative. Events were free at a medical center auditorium.

Workshop Format

The 45-min pre-opera workshop on collaboration in resiliency and recovery for diverse populations included remarks by a community facilitator, for 2 events an LACDMH leader, Elyn Saks on her journey to recovery, with remarks by academic and community leads on community-partnered projects on recovery and resilience (Wells et al., 2013, 2022). The workshop concluded with a choral work “I am a Thriver!” by the opera composer based on a poem by community leader Loretta Jones, available on National Academy of Medicine Visualize Health Equity website (https://nam.edu/visualizehealthequity/#/artwork/94).

The Center Cannot Hold Part II: Recovery is a 75-min, one-act opera, with music by a psychiatrist based on memoire by Elyn Saks. The story features her appointment as law professor at USC, experiences of schizophrenia and treatment including conflicts with her provider, different parts of herself represented by 3 characters; and her journey to recovery as a law school professor, falling in love with a law school librarian.

Pre- and Post-Opera Survey Measures

The pre-opera survey assessed demographics (age, gender identity, race/ethnicity, education, zip code; language preference); Veteran/military status; healthcare, other service, or not provider; and two yes/no questions on ever had or known someone with serious mental illness/schizophrenia or provided services to such persons.

Primary Outcomes

Measures from the Arts Impact Measurement System (AIMS) included a subset of 4 items from the Positive and Negative Affect Schedule, Expanded Form (PANAS-X) (Watson & Clark, 1994) rated on an ordinal scale (from 1 = very slightly or not at all, to 5 = extremely), for mean of 2 positive items (inspired, proud) and 2 negative items (nervous, distressed), with affect balance ratio as mean of positive divided by mean of negative items. We included a two-dimensional “affect grid”, for which users touched the screen or used a mouse on their device, to indicate on a color-gradient with two axes: (1) affective valence, from negative on left to positive on right (primary); and (2) arousal, from low at bottom to high at top (secondary), converted to affective valence scores and arousal (activation) level scores from 1 to 10, with overall “balance” score. We included revised Social Connectedness Scale (SCS) (Lee & Robbins, 1995) with 6-point responses (1 = strongly disagree to 6 = strongly agree) for 8 aspects of feeling connected rather than disconnected (e.g., society, peers, others) (Bilder et al., 2022).

Secondary Outcomes

We included: 1) two items (5-point response strongly agree to strongly disagree) assessing if opera/musicals can increase understanding of mental illness and empathy; and reduce stigma of mental illness (mean score); and 2) two items on willingness to be friends or socialize, or support or provide services to someone with serious mental illness/schizophrenia, responses definitely “willing,” to “unwilling” (mean score).

Reliability was assessed with standardized Cronbach’s Alpha (CA) (Cronbach, 1951). The AIMS measures (primary) and 2 understanding/stigma and 2 willingness items (secondary), were repeated in the post-opera survey with post–pre mean difference calculated. All survey items are in Supplemental material (Appendix).

Exploratory Outcomes (Post-Survey)

The post-survey had items on events attended (workshop, opera live or online; or none); 5-items on arts engagement (5-point strongly agree to strongly disagree response), on being more sympathetic towards persons needing services, more comfortable around those with serious mental illness, less alone with concerns about mental illness, more comfortable talking about it, and reaching out to offer support; 7-items for how well opera and workshop communicated (5 point scale, 5 highest) the importance of social/family support, hope for recovery, a “heroine’s” journey to resilience/recovery, understanding/empathy, helping others, seeking support, and consequences of social stigma, with total score for workshop and for opera; plus overall satisfaction with opera (5-point very to not at all satisfied). The survey had an open-ended response option (for qualitative paper).

Analysis

We used descriptive univariate and bivariate analyses to compare characteristics of respondents with pre only and pre and post surveys and other comparisons such as by healthcare provider status using Chi-square tests for categorical data and Wilcoxon Mann–Whitney tests [Z] for mean differences. For primary and secondary outcomes, we provide unadjusted tests of post–pre change scores using Wilcoxon 1 sample signed-rank test [W], but discuss multiple comparisons. We used standardized effect sizes (Cohen’s d) for comparisons, calculating mean difference divided by standard deviation of mean difference (Lakens, 2013). We considered as primary, mean change (post–pre) in positive and negative mood, affect grid affect and arousal scores, and social connectedness (5 measures); for secondary, mean score for impact of arts to promote understanding and address stigma of mental health; and mean score for willingness to provide services and make friends/socialize with someone with schizophrenia (2 measures). For exploratory post-only items, we describe impact on 5 “humanistic” arts engagement items and mean, and tested difference in total score for impact ratings of workshop and opera, as a pilot evaluation to inform future research.

Results

Audience Characteristics

Of 107 live and 117 online attendees, 64 completed pre, 24 post, and 22 pre and post surveys. As shown in Table 1, there were no significant differences in characteristics measured in pre-survey (demographics, provider status, experiences with serious mental illness/schizophrenia) between those completing only pre-survey (N = 42) and both pre and post (N = 22) (each p > 0.05); and there were also no significant differences on other pre measures including arts engagement, mood and social connection (each p > 0.05). For those with any pre-survey, mean age was mid 50’s, 55.56% female, 41.27% male, and 3.17% identified as transgender/non-binary and 11.74% as sexual minority. Of 61 reporting race/ethnicity, 55.74% identified as White, 13.11% any Hispanic, Latino or Spanish origin, 11.48% as primarily Black/African American or African, and 19.67% as primarily Asian descent. For 92.19%, English only was their preferred language. The majority (73.44%) had graduate school education, and 41.27% were a health care provider. About half reported knowing someone with schizophrenia or serious mental illness (59.38%) or supporting or providing services (44.44%). For primary measures, using pre-survey data, standardized Chronbach’s Alpha (CA) results were: 1) PANAS-X positive mood, CA = 0.86; 2) PANAS-X negative mood, CA = 0.72; 3) Social connectedness, CA = 0.94. For secondary; 1) arts increase understanding/stigma, CA = 0.84; 2) willingness to make friends/provide services, CA = 0.81. For post-survey only comparison of mean for 7 items for workshop and opera impact, standardized CA for workshop = 0.91 and for opera = 0.84; and for mean of 5 arts engagement items, standardized CA = 0.93.Table 1. Characteristics of Survey sample pre-event by status of pre-post completionVariablesNOverall N = 64Pre ONLY N = 42Both Pre and Post N = 22pvalue^†^DemographicsAge, in years, Mean (SD)6454.52 ± 15.9256.55 ± 16.3150.64 ± 14.740.210Gender Identity630.320 Female35 (55.56)20 (48.78)15 (68.18) Male26 (41.27)19 (46.34)7 (31.82) Other (transgender, non-binary)2 (3.17)2 (4.88)0 (0.00)Race/Ethnicity (Hierarchy: H/B/Oth/W)610.636 Any Hispanic/Latino/Spanish heritage8 (13.11)5 (12.5)3 (14.29) Black/African American/African (primary)7 (11.48)5 (12.5)2 (9.52) Asian (primary)12 (19.67)6 (15.00)6 (28.57) White/Caucasian or Middle Eastern descent34 (55.74)24 (60.00)10 (47.62)Education640.194 Less than High School or high school graduate64––– Vocational or Some College3 (4.69)3 (7.14)0 (0.00) College Graduate14 (21.88)11 (26.19)3 (13.64) Graduate School (J.D., Master's, PhD, MD)47 (73.44)28 (66.67)19 (86.36)Sexual minority620.300 No51 (82.26)31 (77.5)20 (90.91) Yes11 (17.74)9 (22.5)2 (9.09)Preferred language640.329 English only59 (92.19)40 (95.24)19 (86.36) Other language5 (7.81)2 (4.76)3 (13.64)Health care provider6326 (41.27)17 (41.46)9 (40.91)0.966Experience of schizophreniaSomeone you know ever had schizophrenia or serious mental illness (Yes/No)6438 (59.38)26 (61.9)12 (54.55)0.569Supported or provided services for someone with schizophrenia or serious mental illness (Yes/No)6328 (44.44)20 (47.62)8 (38.1)0.473Data are presented as mean ± standard deviation (SD) for continuous variables, % for categorical variables, variation in N across variables results from missing data^†^ Wilcoxon-Mann–Whitney test for continuous variables and Chi-square test or Fisher’s exact test for categorical variables

Post–Pre Difference

For those having both post and pre surveys, there were significant post–pre differences in PANAS-X mean positive score (and confirmatory affect balance ratio), mean social connectedness scale and positive affect mood grid score (Cohen’s d ranged from 0.96–1.24, each p < 0.001, significant at p < 0.05 adjusting for 5 primary outcomes). Difference in mean arousal score (d = 0.56, p = 0.018) (Table 2) would not be significant adjusting for 5 outcomes. For secondary outcomes, mean change in increasing understanding or reducing social stigma was not significant (0.25 ± 0.69, p > 0.05); mean for making friends or socializing or providing services for someone with schizophrenia was significant (0.34 ± 0.52, p = 0.016), and adjusting for 2 secondary outcomes.Table 2. Post–Pre Survey responsesVariablesNPre (Mean ± SD)Post (Mean ± SD)Difference(Mean ± SD)^†^test score [W]p†ES^‡^In your opinion Watching an opera or musical can increase understanding of emotional stress224.18 ± 0.804.45 ± 0.740.27 ± 0.8816.50.2430.31 The arts can reduce social stigma of mental illness224.50 ± 0.674.73 ± 0.460.23 ± 0.6112.50.180.37 Mean understanding/stigma score224.34 ± 0.684.59 ± 0.530.25 ± 0.69250.1110.36How willing would you be to: Make friends or socialize with someone suffering from schizophrenia223.18 ± 0.733.64 ± 0.490.45 ± 0.6727.50.0110.68 Support or provide services to someone with schizophrenia223.32 ± 0.993.55 ± 0.670.23 ± 0.69100.2340.33 Mean socialize/services score223.25 ± 0.783.59 ± 0.550.34 ± 0.52300.0160.65Positive and negative affect scale Mean positive score222.50 ± 0.833.73 ± 0.911.23 ± 1.1295.5 < .0011.10 Mean negative score221.43 ± 0.541.27 ± 0.37-0.16 ± 0.52190.2220.31 Affect balance ratio221.91 ± 0.773.18 ± 1.131.27 ± 1.3287.5 < .0010.96Visual affect grid scales Mean affective score216.52 ± 1.337.76 ± 1.341.24 ± 1.0068 < .0011.24 Mean arousal score215.05 ± 2.116.38 ± 1.941.33 ± 2.37570.0180.56 Social Connectedness Scale total score2234.41 ± 7.7139.23 ± 6.824.82 ± 5.8890 < .0010.82^†^Wilcoxon Signed-Rank test^‡^standardized effect size

Post only Survey

For exploratory post-only outcomes for 24 with any post data (22 pre and post; 2 post only), 11 reported attending both workshop and opera, 4 one event, and 9 not responding, with no significant differences in post-event engagement measures for those attending both versus one or unknown (each p > 0.10). As shown in Table 3, for comparison of healthcare providers with others, the mean arts engagement score was high across groups (each 4.40) and not significantly different (Z(1) = 0.68, p = 0.499). The total impact score for the workshop was significantly higher for healthcare providers than others (Z(1) = 2.32 p = 0.020) with significant item-level differences for portraying a “heroine’s journey to resilience/recovery” (Z(1) = 2.24, p = 0.025), increasing commitment to help others (Z(1) = 2.19, p = 0.028) and portraying personal consequences of social stigma (Z(1) = 2.89, p = 0.004). In contrast, the total impact score for the opera did not differ significantly for providers and others (Z(1) = 1.72, p = 0.085). For persons without experience with serious mental illness personally or knowing others versus those with such experience, the total impact score for the workshop had a borderline significant trend towards more impact for those with experience (Z(1) = -1.91, p = 0.057), but no significant difference for opera total impact score (Z(1) = -1.28, p = 0.199). Overall satisfaction was high (1.36 ± 0.73) and not significantly different by provider status (Z(1) = -0.21, p = 0.83) or personal experience with serious mental illness (Z(1) = 0.08, p = 0.93).Table 3. Post event only Items and response for HealthCare Providers versus OthersNOverall mean ± SDN = 22Provider mean ± SD N = 9Other participant mean ± SDN = 13Test score† Z[1]p value^†^The event (workshop and opera) has moved you in (1–5, 5 strongly agree) Being more sympathetic224.45 ± 0.674.67 ± 0.714.31 ± 0.631.460.143 Feeling more comfortable around persons with serious mental illness224.36 ± 0.664.44 ± 0.884.31 ± 0.480.850.394 Feeling less alone with concerns about mental illness224.32 ± 0.844.11 ± 1.174.46 ± 0.52-0.330.741 Feeling more comfortable talking about mental illness224.32 ± 0.784.22 ± 0.974.38 ± 0.65-0.180.855 Reaching out more to offer support224.55 ± 0.674.56 ± 0.734.54 ± 0.660.120.906Mean arts engagement measure224.40 ± 0.534.40 ± 0.774.40 ± 0.320.680.499How well the workshop and opera convey each concept (1–5, 5 highest) Workshop on Resilience  Importance of social/family support214.33 ± 0.974.56 ± 1.014.17 ± 0.941.10.269  Importance of hope for recovery214.38 ± 0.924.78 ± 0.674.08 ± 1.001.720.085  A heroine’s journey to resilience/recovery214.24 ± 1.184.89 ± 0.333.75 ± 1.362.240.025  Increase understanding/empathy214.29 ± 0.784.56 ± 0.534.08 ± 0.901.160.248  Increase commitment to help others214.33 ± 0.864.78 ± 0.674.00 ± 0.852.190.028  Importance of seeking help or support214.48 ± 0.814.78 ± 0.674.25 ± 0.871.620.105  Personal consequences of social stigma214.24 ± 0.894.89 ± 0.333.75 ± 0.872.890.004  Overall score for workshop on Resilience2130.29 ± 5.3033.22 ± 3.3528.08 ± 5.532.320.02The Center Cannot Hold Part 2: Recovery Importance of social/family support224.68 ± 0.724.67 ± 1.004.69 ± 0.480.820.411 Importance of hope for recovery224.77 ± 0.434.78 ± 0.444.77 ± 0.440.01.00 A heroines journey to resilience/recovery224.68 ± 0.574.78 ± 0.444.62 ± 0.650.470.637 Increase understanding/empathy224.73 ± 0.554.67 ± 0.714.77 ± 0.44-0.050.964 Increase commitment to help others224.41 ± 0.914.67 ± 1.004.23 ± 0.831.640.102 Importance of seeking help or support224.68 ± 0.784.89 ± 0.334.54 ± 0.970.740.456 Personal consequences of social stigma224.23 ± 1.024.56 ± 1.014.00 ± 1.001.54.122 Overall score for opera2232.18 ± 3.5433.00 ± 4.2431.62 ± 3.011.720.085Overall, how satisfied were you with the opera performance221.36 ± 0.731.44 ± 1.011.31 ± 0.48-0.210.83^†^Wilcoxon-Mann–Whitney test for Likert scale variables

Discussion

This pilot study evaluated the impact of an arts event (opera) on recovery from schizophrenia, based on lived experiences of a law professor starting teaching and coping with her illness yet falling in love. The opera was preceded by a workshop on community resilience. The events were held in a university medical center auditoirum, with an audience that included many medically trained members and some with lived experience, which could suggest that audience members were familiar with mental health issues. A small number of individuals from a larger audience completed both pre- and post-event surveys. Survey participants may have been more engaged in the event. These issues raise important limitations on findings in terms of generalizability both to broader audiences and settings and interpretation of findings. Despite these limitations there may be implications for future studies examining the impact of arts events related to recovery from severe mental illness. Participant characteristics were similar in demographics, arts engagement, mood and social connection for those with only pre and both pre and post data, suggesting bias due to survey participation might be more related to completing any survey than both surveys. Further, despite a small sample, following the conceptual framework from prior arts evaluations, there were statistically significant increases from pre to post in two measures of positive affect/mood, and feelings of social connection. Serious mental illness is noted as an important health condition (Kessler et al., 2005; Wu et al., 2006), and it is possible that presenting true stories of recovery through art (with the individual/author present) may increase positive affect and sense of belonging. Similarly, for secondary outcome measures, there was an increased willingness to make friends or provide services to people with SMI, significant adjusting for two secondary outcomes, consistent with findings on social connection. Given the location in a healthcare setting and having providers present, we compared providers with others for the opera and pre-opera workshop. While overall engagement in the opera was similar, we found that providers were more strongly engaged than others by the workshop, with a borderline significant similar trend for persons with lived experience personally or knowing others with schizophrenia. This may be consistent with such events being more engaging for audiences familiar with similar education formats or having lived experience with the subject matter. Participatory artworks have been shown to impact stigma, such as “Playback Theater” (Yotis et al., 2017), “Forum Theater” (Wilson, 2013) and knowledge translation in bipolar disorder (Michalak et al., 2014). However, we did not observe a significant effect on the single stigma reduction item in post–pre comparison, which could be due to small sample size or audience prior knowledge of serious mental illness, with moderately high pre-survey response on understanding/view of arts affecting stigma. This effect is important to explore with larger samples with more diverse education and life experiences, as well as broader stigma impact measures. Even in this context, results may suggest increased mood and social connection after art events.

Limitations

The events were premiers of a one-act opera with pre-workshop, presented in an academic medical center auditorium, with lead character/co-librettist and composer participating in workshops, which could have stimulated positive responses. Sample sizes for surveys were small with high representation of providers or those with lived experience. There were no comparison conditions. However, primary outcomes would be significant adjusting for multiple comparisons, and post measures suggested similar engagement across audiences for the opera, yet more engagement in the workshop for providers. More general audiences could respond differently.

Conclusion

For this pilot evaluation, with a small sample size in the evaluation from audiences in a medical center auditorium, primary findings on post–pre outcomes are consistent with potential for opera events on true lived experience of serious mental illness to increase positive affect and social connection, with an exploratory finding that educational workshops may be more engaging for providers and persons with lived experience. While characteristics were similar for persons with only pre and pre and post surveys, findings could reflect selection effects with those with more experience and a tendency for positive reaction to such events to complete both surveys. However, findings could reflect actual impact, and may inform future studies of more general audiences, larger survey samples, and as feasible, comparison conditions such as participation in other types of events.

Supplementary Information

Below is the link to the electronic supplementary material.Supplementary file1 (DOCX 720 KB)