大学博物館の学生の「保健室」化機能の実現を目指して

Abstract

名古屋大学博物館は，学生運営団体「MusaForum」とともに活動を展開するが，その一環で学生の心身の健康支援は必須であるとして，大学博物館の「保健室」的機能の実現に取り組み始めた．九州産業大学の緒方泉特任教授との「博物館浴」の実証実験では，博物館見学が若者のメンタルヘルスに与える効果を調査し，ストレス軽減や気分の改善が確認された．これを受け，館内にセルフ式の血圧・脈拍測定器を設置し，「博物館浴」に関する情報を発信したところ，アンケート結果より，多くの来館者の関心を集めたことが示された．さらに，入館後に「暑い」「眠い」「疲れた」という声が聞かれた来館者が，退館前には「楽しい」「リラックス」というポジティブな感想を述べるようになり，心理的なリフレッシュ効果が具体的に示された．すべての来館者が強い学習意欲を持って博物館を訪れているわけではない．しかし，これらの結果は，博物館が知識や文化を提供する場であるだけでなく，「心の保健室」として，多様な来館者に対して活力や心の支えを提供できる可能性を示唆している．Nagoya University Museum, in collaboration with the student organization MusaForum, has been exploring the concept of a university museum as a “health room” to support students’ mental and physical well-being. As part of this initiative, the museum conducted a “Museum Bathing” study in partnership with Prof. Izumi Ogata of Kyushu Sangyo University. This study examined the impact of museum visits on young people's mental health and found significant benefits, including stress reduction and improved mood. Building on these findings, the museum installed a self-service blood pressure and pulse monitor and began promoting the concept of “Museum Bathing.” Visitor surveys revealed strong interest, with many participants noting a shift in their emotional state. For instance, visitors who initially reported feeling “hot,” “sleepy,” or “tired” frequently described feeling “relaxed” and “enjoyable” by the end of their visit. This suggests that the museum fosters psychological refreshment and serves as a source of comfort. Not all visitors come to the museum with a strong motivation to learn. However, these findings suggest that museums are not only spaces for the dissemination of knowledge and culture but also have the potential to serve as “health rooms for the mind,” offering revitalization and emotional support to a diverse range of visitors.departmental bulletin pape