City Research Online

Abstract

Background
Arts based research practices (ABRPs) are increasingly used to support children and young people (CYP) experiencing complex mental health challenges. Yet the artistic outputs generated within such research are rarely analysed, potentially limiting understanding of how creative artefacts can contribute to meaning making and programme evaluation. This study, part of the UKRI-funded CREATE project, addresses this methodological gap by examining how CYP, researchers and arts practitioners approach the interpretation of youth produced art within mental health research.

Methods
An initial scoping review identified existing approaches to analysing creative products in ABRP mental health studies. Guided by key questions emerging from the review, two interdisciplinary “living labs” (one using visual art and one using drama) were conducted with adolescent co-researchers, academic researchers, and arts facilitators. Data included group discussions, fieldnotes, creative artefacts and video recordings. A hybrid of framework and thematic analysis generated five analytical domains alongside overarching relational and ethical considerations.

Results
Participants preferred a sequenced, dialogic process beginning with art immanent observation and moving toward contextual calibration. Group interpretation broadened perspectives, while protected solo stages safeguarded individual voice. Interpretation shifted dynamically across affective and cognitive modes. These findings coalesced into the RESPOND framework, capturing how meaning can emerge through embodied response, pattern recognition, temporal reframing and dialogue.

Conclusions
RESPOND provides a flexible, practice-sensitive method for integrating creative outputs into mental health research. It strengthens interpretive rigour while preserving the relational, ethical and participatory values central to ABRP with young people.

Publication Type:	Article
Additional Information:	© 2026 The Author(s). Published by Informa UK Limited, trading as Taylor & Francis Group. This is an Open Access article distributed under the terms of the Creative Commons Attribution License (http://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/4.0/), which permits unrestricted use, distribution, and reproduction in any medium, provided the original work is properly cited. The terms on which this article has been published allow the posting of the Accepted Manuscript in a repository by the author(s) or with their consent.
Publisher Keywords:	Arts-based practice, youth mental health, participatory research, art interpretation, living labs
Subjects:	N Fine Arts > NX Arts in general R Medicine > RA Public aspects of medicine > RA0421 Public health. Hygiene. Preventive Medicine
Departments:	School of Communication & Creativity School of Communication & Creativity > Department of Performing Arts
SWORD Depositor:	Symplectic Administrator

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