Can Poetry help people cope with loneliness or isolation?

A recent study conducted by the University of Plymouth and Nottingham Trent University has unveiled the remarkable therapeutic potential of poetry in alleviating feelings of loneliness, anxiety, and depression, particularly during times of isolation and uncertainty like the COVID-19 pandemic.

The research was rooted in a survey of 400 individuals who turned to poetry as a coping mechanism during the pandemic, many of whom shared their experiences and creations on the website poetryandcovid.com (now archived as poetryandcovidarchive.com). Their stories illuminated the demonstrable positive impact that poetry had on their wellbeing, extending to individuals grappling with common mental health symptoms and those navigating grief.

The survey results revealed that:

Over 50% of respondents stated that reading and/or writing poetry helped them combat loneliness or isolation.

Another 50% found that poetry was a salve for their feelings of anxiety and depression.

Around a third (34%) reported feeling "less anxious" as a result of their engagement with poetry.

For 24%, poetry empowered them to "feel better able to handle my problems."

A further 17% indicated that it aided them in addressing bereavement issues.

16% credited poetry with assisting them in managing ongoing mental health symptoms.

The website received visits from over 100,000 people spanning 128 countries and featured more than 1,000 poems authored by over 600 writers. A significant portion of these contributions came directly from the poets themselves.

Reference: Poetry and COVID-19: the benefit of poetry and the poetryandcovidarchive.com website to mental health and wellbeing, Journal of Poetry Therapy

DOI: 10.1080/08893675.2023.2250921