The well-being benefits of virtual art galleries: examining the roles of perspective taking, social connection, reflection, immersion, and individual differences

Emerging research suggests there are benefits of digital art engagement, but further studies are needed to explore its mechanisms and moderators. Participants (N = 381) were assigned to one of three conditions – perspective taking, social connection, or art education control – and watched psychoeducational videos. Participants then completed a five-week study in which they engaged in virtual art gallery visits once per week, with engagement instructions varying by condition, and completed measures of emotional experiences (e.g. positive, negative, and aesthetic emotions), levels of immersion and reflectiveness, and well-being following each visit. Participants in the social connection group exhibited higher levels of well-being compared to other conditions over time. Individual differences, such as art interest and aesthetic responsiveness, were important factors in shaping the emotional and well-being experiences of engaging with virtual art. While immersion and reflection did not directly impact well-being, they showed distinct patterns in predicting emotional responses.