Izvorni znanstveni članak
https://doi.org/10.21857/yl4okfkjv9
Walls that Heal: A Decade of Murals and the Rehumanization of Hospital Space in Croatian Healthcare Environments
Melinda Šefčić
orcid.org/0009-0002-3932-6174
*
* Dopisni autor.
Sažetak
Background: Hospital environments significantly influence how illness is perceived and experienced. Research in environmental psychology and arts in health shows that colour, nature-based imagery and coherent visual design can reduce stress and support emotional regulation. Croatia’s first systematic research on hospital murals began with the doctoral dissertation Rehumanization and Reaestheticization of Hospital Space (2016–2018) and continued through a decade of mural projects (2016–2025). This article synthesises these findings to examine how murals rehumanize hospital space.
Methods: A convergent mixed-methods design was applied. Quantitative components included pre–post questionnaires in a phoniatrics waiting room (17 respondents before; 41 after) and a multi-hospital study with 95 respondents (2018–2019). Qualitative components included systematic observation, structured conversations with patients, parents and staff, and an artist-researcher diary documenting mural projects from 2016 to 2025. Data were analysed descriptively and thematically around comfort, distraction, orientation and communication.
Results: Before interventions, interiors were described as sterile, monotonous and poorly adapted to children. In the doctoral study, 94.1% anticipated positive effects of a mural; after implementation, 92.7% rated it aesthetically successful, and 87.8% perceived improved comfort. In the multi-hospital study, around two-thirds noted reduced “emptiness” and more than 90% supported expanding mural practice. Later observational data recorded calmer children, shorter crying episodes and spontaneous use of murals for wayfinding and communication.
Conclusions: Across ten years, murals consistently acted as emotional regulators, positive distractions and spatial anchors. Aligned with European and WHO culture–health frameworks, these findings support integrating murals into hospital planning and care design.
Ključne riječi
art in hospitals; murals in hospital; positive distraction; rehumanization; healing environments
Hrčak ID:
346149
URI
Datum izdavanja:
28.12.2025.
Posjeta: 228 *