Wellbeing and experience of culture, arts, sport and experience of heritage by adults in Northern Ireland, 2016/17

Date published: 28 March 2018

The Department for Communities has today published the following three new reports:

  • Wellbeing and engagement in culture, arts and sport by adults in Northern Ireland, 2016/17
  • Wellbeing and experience of heritage by adults in Northern Ireland, 2016/17
  • Experience of heritage by adults in Northern Ireland, 2016/17

The reports provide an overview of the wellbeing of those engaged in culture, arts and sport and also the experience and wellbeing of those visiting heritage sites in Northern Ireland.

Key findings include:

Across a range of measures of personal wellbeing: Life Satisfaction, Self-efficacy and Locus of Control, analysis shows higher personal wellbeing among adults who engaged in culture, arts and sports and heritage than among adults who had not engaged in these activities. Whilst this report shows a link between engagement and personal wellbeing and general health it does not show that one causes the other.

Wellbeing and engagement in culture, arts and sport

  • For adults engaging in culture, arts and sport the mean life satisfaction score was 7.9 which was higher than for those not engaging (6.9). Life satisfaction relates to an individual’s satisfaction with their life overall
  • For adults engaging in culture, arts and sport the mean self-efficacy score was 19.4 which was higher than for those not engaging (17.2). Self-efficacy is the extent or strength of an individual’s belief in their own ability to complete tasks and reach goals
  • For adults engaging in culture, arts and sport the mean locus of control score was 17.0 which was a higher (more internal) locus of control than for those not engaging (15.9). Locus of control explains the degree to which a person feels in control over their life and is classified as either external or internal. Those with an internal locus of control believe in their own influence and control, while those with an external locus of control believe control over their life is determined by outside factors
  • For adults engaging in culture, arts and sport 86% rated their health as ’fairly good’ or ’good’ which was higher than for those who did not engage (61%).

Wellbeing and experience of heritage

  • For adults who visited a heritage site the mean life satisfaction score was 7.9 which was higher than for those who did not visit (7.6). Life satisfaction relates to an individual’s satisfaction with their life overall
  • For adults who visited a heritage site the mean self-efficacy score was 19.8 which was higher than for those who did not visit (18.8). Self-efficacy is the extent or strength of an individual’s belief in their own ability to complete tasks and reach goals
  • For adults who visited a heritage site the mean locus of control score was 17.1 which was a higher (more internal) locus of control than for those who did not visit (16.6). Locus of control explains the degree to which a person feels in control over their life and is classified as either external or internal. Those with an internal locus of control believe in their own influence and control, while those with an external locus of control believe control over their life is determined by outside factors
  • For adults who had visited a heritage site 88% rated their health as ‘fairly good or good’ which was higher than the proportion who had not visited a heritage site (79%).

Experience of heritage

  • The proportion of adults engaged in heritage was 53%
  • Of those engaged in heritage the most popular sites visited were ‘a city or town with historic character’ (34%) and a ‘historic park or garden open to the public’ (25%).

Notes to editors: 

  1. The reports, which are being published for the first time, present findings from the 2016/17 Continuous Household Survey which is an annual Northern Ireland wide household survey.  Further information on the survey, including sample design and response rates, is included in Definitions and technical notes of the statistical bulletins
  2. The publications are available from the Department’s website
  3. All media queries should be directed to the Department for Communities Press Office on 028 9082 3504 or email press.office@communities-ni.gov.uk. Out of office hours please contact the duty press officer via pager number 07623 974383 and your call will be returned.

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