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Subject Area

Architectural Engineering

Article Type

Original Study

Abstract

This study examines the psychological effects of immersive virtual reality (VR) experiences designed to preserve and disseminate intangible cultural heritage. It addresses the growing challenge of declining cultural engagement and the need for innovative tools that support psychological well-being, emotional engagement, and cultural connection. A VR-based reconstruction was developed within the historic Mahmoud Sami Al-Baroudi Palace in Mansoura, Egypt, focusing on traditional Egyptian practices and oral storytelling. The evaluation employed the WELL-MIND framework alongside participant feedback to assess both structured well-being indicators and subjective user experiences. The WELL-MIND-based assessment indicated improvements in cognitive stimulation, emotional engagement, and environmental perception. In parallel, participant responses reflected positive perceived experiences, including improved mood, reduced stress, and an enhanced sense of cultural identity. These findings suggest positive psychological effects of VR-based heritage interventions within the study sample. However, they should be interpreted as exploratory due to the purposive sampling approach and limited sample size. The study highlights the potential of integrating virtual reality, heritage preservation, and environmental psychology within an interdisciplinary digital anthropology framework.

Keywords

Virtual Reality, Intangible Cultural Heritage, WELL Building Standard, Mental Health

Creative Commons License

Creative Commons Attribution 4.0 License
This work is licensed under a Creative Commons Attribution 4.0 License.

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