Twenty-second International Conference on New Directions in the Humanities

The ASBA (Anxiety, Stress, Brain-friendly Museum Approach) project focuses on studying museums as spaces that promote cultural, physical, and psychological wellbeing. Since 2022, we have been collecting data thanks to the collaboration of several Italian museums, and the participation of 390 volunteers (aged 18 - 83, M = 45.55; Female = 300). We employed standardised questionnaires, analogue scales, and qualitative items to gather both quantitative and qualitative data on perceived stress, state anxiety, mood, and subjective experience. Our research protocol includes several methods aimed at eliciting wellbeing in museum contexts, particularly mindfulness, art therapy, Visual Thinking Strategies, Nature+Art, and guided tours. Using a pre-post research design, we assessed the impact of each technique on personal wellbeing. Additionally, we gathered data on trait parameters, such as trait anxiety and personality. All the treatments employed achieved the primary goal of reducing state anxiety. Mindfulness produced the most significant effect, with a reduction of nearly 25% between pre- and post-intervention. This decrease was especially notable in participants with high levels of state anxiety and stress. Art therapy also showed significant results, although to a slightly lesser extent (approximately 20%). A notable finding concerns guided tours, which not only reduced anxiety to a degree slightly below that of art therapy, like Nature+Art, but also proved effective regardless of participants’ initial levels of stress and anxiety. Thanks to this broad set of data, we can support the hypothesis that museums may be considered privileged spaces for fostering wellbeing.

Seminario 9 : 2025-09-05 10:50

Digital Alchemy

Monika Srivastava
Paper Presentation in a Themed Session

In an age characterized by ubiquitous digital connectivity, the fusion of technology and well-being has emerged as a fascinating crossroads. As the world is undergoing a rapid digital revolution, the intersection of positive psychology and technology emerges as a pioneering force for innovation. This work delves into this transformative space, focusing on positive psychological interventions. It explores new and innovative approaches within the digital realm, analyzing how various forms of technology can serve as a catalyst for advancing interventions aimed at promoting happiness and enhancing well-being. It investigates the role of digital tools such as mobile apps, online communities, teletherapy, and educational platforms in amplifying the efficacy of positive psychological interventions. These resources offer unique opportunities for individuals to embark on a journey toward their well-being and find solace in the virtual spaces created for support and growth. Furthermore, this paper considers the diverse culture of India and the importance of culturally sensitive approaches to deliver positive psychological interventions. It highlights the fact that there is a need for interventions that resonate with the cultural context it is applied, thereby promoting inclusivity and relevance. In summary, it implies the exploration of how digital resources can be creatively harnessed into tools that enrich and uplift, marking a paradigm shift in the pursuit of well-being, especially within the vibrant tapestry of India.

Online Asynchronous

Student-centered Learning (SCL) in Georgia and Its Effect on the Career Success

Natia Gegelashvili
Paper Presentation in a Themed Session

After joining the Bologna Process in 2005, one of the main challenges for Georgian higher education was integrating student-centered learning (SCL). Although there is no single definition, SCL broadly aims to create a learning environment tailored to students’ well-being, interests, and abilities. According to the Leuven/Louvain-la-Neuve Communiqué, SCL helps students develop skills needed for a dynamic labor market. This study develops a conceptual framework based on a narrative literature review and qualitative research involving academic staff. The findings suggest that SCL is closely linked to student and academic staff well-being. When genuinely implemented, it enhances students’ motivation, emotional well-being, and sense of autonomy—factors that are essential for long-term career success. The study highlights the need to view student-centered learning not only as a teaching strategy but also as a foundation for student well-being and future professional development.

Seminario 8 : 2025-09-04 12:25

Global Crossroads of Care

Polina Palash
Paper Presentation in a Themed Session

This preliminary research explores the transnational circulations of practitioners and users of traditional and complementary medicine, encompassing diverse healing practices that coexist with conventional medicine. These include both ancestral and more contemporary forms of healthcare, often emerging in response to a growing search for holistic approaches to health and wellbeing. While such practices have been widely examined in local contexts, their transnational dimensions remain underexplored in an increasingly globalized and interconnected world. This contribution draws on a multi-sited ethnography conducted in Bali (Indonesia) and Koh Phangan (Thailand) between June and October 2024. These two locations represent emblematic global crossroads that attract mobile actors who engage with these forms of healing through their distinctive therapeutic landscapes (Gesler, 1992) and associated imaginaries. The research includes ethnographic interviews and participant observation with 16 practitioners and 13 users of traditional and complementary medicine, and is further complemented by digital ethnographic methods conducted between 2024 and 2025. By retracing the socio-spatial trajectories of these actors, preliminary findings reveal the porous boundaries between the categories of practitioners and users, seasonal patterns of mobility—primarily from Western countries and across similar global destinations for alternative healing practices—and their connection to digital nomadism. Social media and digital space emerge as central in shaping and sustaining these transnational circulations and networks. At the same time, the research highlights how socio-economic inequalities shape these forms of (im)mobility and the interactions with local populations.

Seminario 8 : 2025-09-05 13:30

A Lifelong Journey to Combat Non-Communicable Diseases

Xuemei Zhang
Paper Presentation in a Themed Session

Non-communicable diseases (NCDs) are the leading causes of morbidity and mortality globally. NCDs commonly happen in adulthood, while their roots may be traced back to early life stages. However, existing studies mostly examined childhood or adulthood socioeconomic status (SES) independently. This study explores the interaction of NCDs, childhood SES, adulthood SES, and (Socioeconomic) SEE mobility. Method This project used longitudinal data obtained from nationally representative health surveys-China Family Panel Studies (CFPS). Participants aged 25 years and older are included, with self-reported doctor-diagnosed NCDs. Participants reported their own and their parents’ highest level of education was used as the proxy of adulthood and childhood SES. Childhood SES and adulthood SES were categorized into two groups (low vs high) and the SES mobility variable was then constructed comprised of four categories: stable low, upward, downward, and stable high. We finally included 25,167 participants. 67.60% of the participants are stable in their SES and 51.07% among these are in the ‘stable low’ category. Participants who have a higher childhood SES (14.25%), and higher adulthood SES (13.92%) have higher NCD prevalence. Participants who experienced upward mobility (15.03%) had the highest NCD prevalence. There is a significant positive relationship between childhood SES and adulthood SES and NCD prevalence is more significant in the older cohorts and reversed in the younger cohorts. Adulthood SES has a more significant effect on the development of NCD, while childhood situation has a certain lag in its impact on NCDs.

Alzheimer Fest

Giulia Alonzo
Paper Presentation in a Themed Session

The research explores the intersection between cultural festivals and Alzheimer’s disease, examining whether these seemingly disparate realms can converge. Festivals are public celebrations that foster community and shared experiences, as articulated by Richards (2017) and supported by the concept of collective mental states described by Giannini (2020). This study investigates whether an Alzheimer Festival can serve as a platform for enhancing understanding and reducing stigma surrounding the disease. The theoretical framework integrates Event Studies, emphasizing how festivals can create communal bonds (Getz 2009; Alonzo & Ponte di Pino 2021), and theories related to the communication of illness. Previous studies indicate that caregivers often experience isolation and loneliness due to the stigma associated with Alzheimer's (Hung et al. 2021; Bolland et al. 2015). The research seeks to determine if a festival focused on Alzheimer's can shift narratives and foster community among caregivers. Methodologically, the study will employ an ethnographic approach featuring participant observation and semi-structured interviews, with data collection occurring between September and October 2024. Ultimately, the research seeks to answer several critical questions: Can festivals change social representations and combat stigma? Is the festival a venue for advocacy? What roles do various participants play, and how might their interactions at the festival influence caregivers' well-being post-event? This study contributes to an understanding of how festivals can impact the communication of serious illnesses like Alzheimer’s, facilitating connections and support within affected communities.

Seminario 8 : 2025-09-05 11:10

You must sign in to follow content.

Sign In