Poetry can be a potent tool for combating loneliness, isolation, anxiety, and depression, particularly in the face of crises like the COVID-19 pandemic, according to a recent study conducted by the University of Plymouth and Nottingham Trent University.
The research, which involved a survey of 400 individuals, focused on those who turned to poetry to cope with the pandemic. The findings showed a significant positive impact on the well-being of participants who read, wrote, and discussed poetry. These insights were gathered from registered users of the website poetryandcovid.com (now archived as poetryandcovidarchive.com), a platform where individuals shared their own poems and engaged with the works of others.
KEY FINDINGS
- 51% of respondents found that reading and/or writing poetry helped them combat feelings of loneliness or isolation.
- An additional 50% reported that poetry played a role in managing their anxiety and depression.
- Furthermore, the study revealed that:
- 34% of participants felt less anxious after engaging with the website.
- 24% believed it made them better equipped to handle their problems.
- 17% used this to cope with bereavement-related issues.
- 16% credited this with alleviating ongoing mental health symptoms.
REMARKABLE POSITIVE IMPACT
Professor Anthony Caleshu, the Principal Investigator of the study, emphasized the substantial power of poetry in enhancing well-being. He stated, “Writing and reading poetry, along with participating on the website, had a remarkable positive impact on the mental health of the participants during the COVID-19 pandemic. Moreover, the website contributed to social and cultural recovery and offered insights into how poetry served as a mode of discourse during the crisis. It now stands as a historical archive, showcasing how people worldwide used English language poetry to navigate the challenges of the pandemic.”
The impact of this initiative extended far beyond borders, as more than 100,000 people from 128 countries visited the website. It featured over 1,000 poems contributed by more than 600 authors, most of whom were the poets themselves.
One participant in the study aptly described the role of poetry: “Poetry has been a lifeline throughout the pandemic, both reading and writing it, sometimes a strong rope and other times a thin little string.”
Another contributor shared their poignant experience, saying, “I’m looking to submit some poetry related to my father’s recent passing, which was due to COVID-19. I want to capture some of the conflicting emotions I’ve been feeling since news of promising vaccines have been reported so close to his death. I hope the piece will connect with others who have lost loved ones, but also provide hope for those who are isolated and waiting for loved ones to return home. This is my first piece of poetry.”
Dr. Rory Waterman, the Co-Investigator of the study, explained, “Tethering poetry to a community-building platform, as seen on the website, has a particularly positive effect on the relationship between poetry and well-being. It brings people together, breaking the ice, and allowing them to connect. It’s likely that other forms of creative and expressive writing can have similar effects on people’s health by providing an outlet to make sense of their experiences.”
This study underscores the idea that creativity, coupled with a platform for safe and supportive discussion, can help people navigate challenging times and circumstances by giving them a means to express and make sense of their experiences.
