Digital art exhibitions and psychological well-being in Chinese Generation Z: An analysis based on the S-O-R framework

• DOI: 10.1057/s41599-024-02718-x
• Publication Date: 2024-02-13T19:02:22Z
• Authors: Yanqing Xia; Yili Deng; Xuanyu Tao; Sainan Zhang; Chengliang Wang
• Keywords: H; AZ20-999; 0502 economics and business; 05 social sciences; Social Sciences; History of scholarship and learning. The humanities

Abstract In the post-pandemic era, there has been a heightened global focus on mental health challenges facing individuals, with particular emphasis innovative and effective therapeutic approaches. Despite extensive body of research within realm art therapy addressing individual psychological healing, potential digital mediums in this field largely overlooked. This gap is especially pronounced studies targeting unique demographic Generation Z, known as ‘digital natives.’ study aims to investigate role engagement online exhibitions restorative intervention for enhancing well-being Z users. Grounded Stimulus-Organism-Response (S-O-R) framework theory environments, examines responses participants exhibitions, particularly from perspective website aesthetics. The impact these users’ place attachment loyalty behaviors also explored. Utilizing structural equation modeling approach, an exhibition was deployed ZEPETO app, platform popular among Chinese Participants were subsequently invited partake survey post-exhibition, yielding dataset 332 valid responses. findings reveal that: (1) four design elements aesthetics (coherence, novelty, interactivity, immersion) significantly influence perceived restoration users, immersion being most influential factor; (2) are crucial predictors behavior; (3) positive users towards exhibitions. demonstrates that can facilitate emotional healing journey contributing alleviation stress promotion well-being. Moreover, technology have transcend human creativity imagination, offering promising pathway future practices related healing.