Arts-based interventions for domestic violence survivors lack balanced measurement of community and interpersonal outcomesArts programs help domestic violence survivors, but evaluations miss key benefits

Frontiers in Medicine Published August 5, 2026 DOI ↗ Editorial oversight: Dr. Sofia Müller, MD · Lifespan & Whole-Person Care

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Key Takeaway

Note that current evaluations of arts-based interventions for domestic violence survivors often overlook community outcomes.

This scoping review synthesized 12 empirical studies to evaluate the alignment between stated objectives and quantitative metrics for arts-based interventions among women survivors of domestic violence. The scope focused on how these programs are measured in community service settings.

The synthesis revealed a significant gap in evaluation focus, where assessments were disproportionately concentrated on individual psychological outcomes. While goals such as peer connection, cultural belonging, and collective healing were intended, these relational and community-oriented outcomes were only partially reflected in formal quantitative evaluations.

A primary limitation noted is the current imbalance in assessment frameworks. The review does not provide evidence of clinical efficacy but highlights a systemic gap in how programs are evaluated. This suggests that current metrics may not fully capture the scope of the interventions provided to survivors.

For practitioners and policymakers, these findings indicate a need for more ecologically responsive measurement approaches. Improving the alignment between program goals and evaluation metrics is necessary to better inform funding, implementation, and the overall evaluation of public health programs for this population.

A new review looked at 12 studies of arts-based programs for women who have survived domestic violence. These programs include things like painting, music, or drama, and they take place in community settings. The review wanted to see if the way these programs are evaluated matches what they are trying to achieve.

The researchers found that most evaluations focus on individual psychological outcomes, like reducing symptoms of anxiety or depression. However, the programs themselves often have broader goals, such as building peer connections, fostering cultural belonging, and promoting collective healing. These relational and community outcomes were only partially captured in the formal assessments.

This mismatch means that the full value of these programs might not be recognized. The review did not report any safety concerns, but it also did not provide evidence on whether the programs are effective in reducing psychological symptoms. It simply points out a gap in how they are measured.

The main takeaway is that current evaluation methods may be missing important benefits of arts-based interventions for domestic violence survivors. This could affect funding and implementation decisions. More research is needed to develop better ways to measure these programs, so that their true impact on individuals and communities can be understood.

What this means for you:

Arts programs for domestic violence survivors may help build community, but current evaluations miss these benefits.

Common questions

What did the review find about arts-based programs for domestic violence survivors?

The review looked at 12 studies and found that evaluations of these programs focus mostly on individual psychological outcomes, like reducing anxiety or depression. However, the programs also aim to build peer connections, cultural belonging, and collective healing, which are not fully captured in the assessments.

Why is it important to measure community outcomes in these programs?

Measuring community outcomes matters because these programs often have goals beyond individual healing, such as fostering peer support and cultural connection. If evaluations only measure individual psychological changes, they may miss the full impact of the program, which could affect funding and implementation decisions.

Does this review prove that arts programs work for domestic violence survivors?

No, this review does not provide evidence of effectiveness. It only identifies a gap in how these programs are evaluated. The review suggests that current evaluation methods may not capture all the benefits, but it does not show whether the programs actually improve outcomes for survivors.

Study Details

Study typeSystematic review

EvidenceLevel 1

PublishedJul 2026

View Original Abstract ↓

Domestic violence remains a major public health challenge with profound consequences for women survivors. Arts-based interventions are increasingly incorporated into community services as culturally responsive recovery approaches for marginalized populations; however, it remains unexamined whether quantitative evaluation frameworks adequately capture their broad intended outcomes. This scoping review mapped the literature on arts-based interventions for survivors, examining the ecological alignment—or potential evaluative tension—between stated objectives and quantitative evaluation metrics. Conducted following established scoping review methodology and reporting guidelines, systematic searches of Web of Science, Scopus, PubMed, and PsycINFO identified 12 eligible empirical studies. Data were charted using the Social Ecological Model across individual, interpersonal, and community levels. Findings revealed interventions were predominantly community-integrated, with objectives extending beyond psychological symptom reduction to encompass peer connection, cultural belonging, and collective healing. While individual-level recovery was evaluated using congruent psychological measures, broader interpersonal and community-oriented goals were less consistently represented. This revealed an evaluative tension, wherein relational and community outcomes were only partially reflected in formal quantitative assessments. Although arts-based interventions operate across multiple ecological levels, current evaluations remain disproportionately focused on individual psychological outcomes. Future research and policy initiatives may benefit from developing ecologically responsive measurement approaches that capture relational and community-level outcomes alongside clinical measures, thereby providing rigorous evidence to inform the funding, implementation, and evaluation of public health programs for women survivors of domestic violence.

Arts-based interventions for domestic violence survivors lack balanced measurement of community and interpersonal outcomesArts programs help domestic violence survivors, but evaluations miss key benefits

Common questions

Study Details

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Arts-based interventions for domestic violence survivors lack balanced measurement of community and interpersonal outcomesArts programs help domestic violence survivors, but evaluations miss key benefits

Common questions

Study Details

Primary community health care nurses improve patient outcomes and reduce costs compared to medical practitioners

Meta-analysis shows primary care nurses improve health and save money compared to medical practitioners

Clinical research that matters. Delivered to your inbox.

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