This book provides an interdisciplinary collection of theoretical and methodological contributions critically exploring the connections between leisure and wellbeing. It expands the field of leisure studies to highlight the contribution of international scholars to a developing agenda in leisure and wellbeing research. Authors from many different countries engage with the complexity of subjective wellbeing through the lenses of diverse leisure cultures. Collectively, the chapters represent rigorous high-quality social science research, informed by innovative methods that can build knowledge about the intricate ways leisure cultures and subjective wellbeing are related to each other. The book serves to deepen the knowledge and understanding of the complexity of wellbeing experiences, and the diversity of contexts in which wellbeing is enhanced or reduced through taking part in leisure pursuits. The chapters in this book were originally published as a special issue of the journal Leisure Studies.

This important book develops a critical understanding of the bridging of arts and health domains, drawing on models and perspectives from social sciences to develop the case for arts and health as a social movement. This interdisciplinary perspective offers a new research agenda that can help to inform future developments and sustainability in arts, health and well-being. Daykin begins with an overview of the current evidence base and a review of current challenges for research, policy and practice. Later chapters explore the international field of health and the arts; arts, with well-being as a social movement; and boundary work and the role of boundary objects in the field. The book also includes sections summarising research findings and evidence in arts and health research and examples from specific research projects conducted by the author, chosen to highlight particularly widespread challenges across many arts, health and well-being contexts. Arts, Health and Well-Being: A Critical Perspective on Research, Policy and Practice is valuable reading for students in sociology, psychology, social work, nursing, psychiatry, creative and performing arts, public health and policymakers and practitioners in these fields.