Quantitative Research

The combined research across Poland, Cyprus, and Latvia paints a compelling picture of the positive impact of creative arts on youth well-being, while also revealing significant areas for improvement in accessibility and program delivery.

A majority of respondents—over 80%—reported engaging in creative activities such as painting, music, theater, and dance, often informally or as hobbies. A remarkable 92% of participants agreed that creative arts play a positive role in supporting emotional well-being, highlighting their value as tools for coping with stress and enhancing mood.

However, structured experiences like art-based therapy sessions remain underutilized, with fewer than half of the participants having had access to such formats. This suggests a gap between informal creative engagement and more formalized, therapeutic applications of the arts.

In terms of personal development, the vast majority of respondents considered creative arts to be "very important" for self-expression, growth, and identity formation, particularly among youth living in urban and semi-urban areas. Still, barriers to participation remain prominent—over 60% of youth from Cyprus and Latvia reported challenges in accessing arts activities, citing issues such as limited local availability, financial constraints, and lack of awareness.

When asked about preferred forms of engagement, participants expressed a strong interest in group activities and workshops, while also valuing flexibility and individual sessions. There was clear enthusiasm for future programs: more than 70% indicated they would be interested in joining organized creative arts initiatives for youth development.

Importantly, this research underscores the need to enhance access to creative opportunities, especially in rural and underserved communities, by supporting free or low-cost initiatives, increasing school and community partnerships, and promoting awareness about the benefits of art for mental health and youth empowerment.

The Role of Creative Arts in Youth Well-being (Poland, Cyprus, and Latvia)

As part of the Erasmus+ KA210-YOU project "CREative Arts as Therapy tools In YOuth Work (CREATIYOK)", this combined research explores the role of creative arts in enhancing youth well-being in three diverse European contexts: Poland, Cyprus, and Latvia. Recognizing the growing need for emotional support, mental health awareness, and tools for self-expression among young people, the project sought to investigate how youth and youth workers interact with creative arts as a therapeutic and developmental tool.

Through a carefully designed online survey, responses were collected from 260 participants, including youth, youth workers, and potential participants in art-based programs. The research focused on key themes such as emotional impact, accessibility of creative activities, perceived benefits for stress management and mood enhancement, and preferences regarding art formats and delivery methods. The initiative aligns with the broader objectives of the Erasmus+ program: to promote innovation in youth work, improve inclusion, and enhance personal and social development through non-formal education tools.

By understanding how creative arts are perceived and experienced, especially across different cultural and geographical settings, the research provides valuable insights that will guide the design of future workshops and activities in the CREATIYOK project and beyond.

The audience included youth, youth workers, and potential workshop participants, with data collected via online questionnaires consisting of up to 16 questions, covering both quantitative and qualitative aspects. Annex 01

Key Research Findings by Question

Demographics (Questions 1–4)

Respondents came from a wide age range and a mix of urban, suburban, and rural areas. The largest groups in the international survey were from Latvia (40%) and Cyprus (36%), with additional responses from other EU countries. In Poland, the data was broken down by gender and living area, showing broad participation across women (71), men (22), city dwellers (48), and those from villages and towns.

Section 2: Experience with Creative Arts

Question 5: Have you personally engaged in creative arts activities (e.g., drawing, music, theater, or dance)?

• 81.4% in Cyprus/Latvia responded "Yes," showing strong engagement.
• In Poland, most women (65/71) and men (16/22) had participated, especially those from cities and villages.
• This affirms that creative arts are already a part of many young people's lives.

Question 6: Do you believe creative arts can positively impact emotional well-being?

• An overwhelming 92.8% in Cyprus/Latvia said yes.
• Polish responses similarly showed high belief in emotional benefits.
• This consensus confirms the perceived therapeutic power of creativity.

Question 7: Have you ever participated in art-based therapy sessions?

• Only 45.5% in Cyprus/Latvia had participated; 46.1% had not.
• In Poland, even fewer had this experience (only 12/93 total).
• While engagement in informal arts is high, structured therapy remains underutilized.

Section 3: Perception of Personal Development

Question 8: How important are creative arts for youth personal development and self-expression?

• 74.9% in Cyprus/Latvia chose "very important."
• In Poland, most women and city dwellers rated importance highly (1 or 2 on a 5-point scale).
• This reflects broad recognition of arts as a tool for personal growth.

Question 9: How has engaging in creative arts affected your mood and well-being?

• 89.2% in Cyprus/Latvia reported a positive impact.
• Polish respondents were slightly more diverse in answers, but still mostly positive (e.g., 43 women and 28 city youth rated "1").
• This confirms the emotional benefits of regular creative engagement.

Question 10: Do you think creative arts can help manage stress or difficult emotions?

• 93.4% in Cyprus/Latvia agreed.
• Polish respondents showed similar confidence, supported by other wellness-related questions.

Section 4: Preferences in Arts Engagement

Question 11: Which form of creative arts do you find most enjoyable or effective?

• In Cyprus/Latvia, top choices were:
• Painting (31.1%)
• Music (22.2%)
• Theater (16.8%)
• Dance (16.2%)
• In Poland, answers included ceramics, photography, poetry, writing, and even horse riding, showing broad creative preferences.

Question 12: Preferred format for engaging in arts?

• Group activities (40.1%), workshops (31.1%), and individual sessions (28.7%) in Cyprus/Latvia.
• In Poland, responses were more evenly split, with workshops slightly favored among women and village respondents.
• This suggests flexibility and variety in delivery formats is essential.

Section 5: Accessibility and Support

Question 13: Do you face challenges accessing arts activities or resources?

• 61.1% in Cyprus/Latvia said yes.
• Polish data also pointed to similar access limitations, especially outside urban areas.
• Barriers include lack of local programs, affordability, and information.

Question 14: What can be done to improve access to creative arts for youth?

Top suggestions in both groups:

Respondents emphasized the need for school partnerships, free community workshops, and better promotion of available opportunities.

Section 6: Future Outlook

Question 15: Would you be interested in organized creative arts programs for youth development?

• 70.1% in Cyprus/Latvia said yes.
• In Poland, interest varied but was also high, with many answering "yes" or "maybe."
• This indicates strong potential for youth engagement if programs are well-designed and accessible.

Question 16: How do you see creative arts supporting your future personal growth and well-being?

• 70.7% in Cyprus/Latvia expect a very positive role, and 27.5% a somewhat positive one.
• In Poland, most respondents also anticipated continued or increased impact, especially women and village residents.

Final Conclusion

Across Poland, Cyprus, and Latvia, the findings clearly show that creative arts are widely practiced, deeply valued, and seen as a powerful tool for personal and emotional development. Participants not only appreciate the role of arts in self-expression and mental health, but also express a strong interest in structured programs that make these experiences more accessible. However, barriers such as cost, access, and program availability remain significant, especially in non-urban areas.

This research confirms that creative arts are not only widely embraced by youth but also recognized as powerful tools for emotional well-being, self-expression, and personal growth. While enthusiasm is high, structural barriers—such as limited access and affordability—still prevent many young people from fully benefiting from arts-based activities. The findings highlight a strong need for inclusive, accessible, and well-promoted creative programs across Europe, particularly in rural areas. Empowering youth through the arts is not just a cultural investment—it is a pathway to healthier, more connected, and resilient communities.