Abstract
<title>Abstract</title> <p> Background Actually, museums and interactive centers have evolved into participatory environments that integrate digital technologies to enhance user engagement and interaction. Emerging evidence suggests that these experiences may contribute to emotional well-being, relevant to mental health promotion and preventive health strategies. Objectives To map the existing evidence on digital tools in museums and interactive centers to promote emotional experiences, participation, and well-being, as well as to explore their potential role in fostering protective factors associated with health-risk prevention. Methods A scoping review was conducted following established methodological frameworks. PICo strategy was used to guide research questions and search strategies on databases. <bold>Sources of evidence</bold> :Web of Science, SCOPUS, ERIC, EBSCO. <bold>Eligibility criteria</bold> :Studies included if they addressed digital tools in museum or interactive settings and reported emotional, cognitive, or well-being-related outcomes. Data were extracted and synthesized descriptively. Based on the findings, a conceptual model was developed to integrate the relationships between technological features, psychological processes and outcomes. <bold>Charting</bold> methods A standardized data charting form was developed in Microsoft Excel to extract relevant information from the included studies. Two reviewers independently charted the data, and any discrepancies were resolved through discussion. The following data were extracted from each study: Study characteristics, study design, digital tool or immersive experience, psychological mechanisms, and outcomes. Results The included studies showed considerable methodological and technological heterogeneity, encompassing experimental, quasi-experimental, mixed-methods, and theoretical designs. A wide range of digital tools were identified. Findings indicate that immersive technologies appeared to promote emotional engagement through different mechanisms associated with emotional, cognitive and psychosocial outcomes. However, some studies also reported limited engagement, highlighting variability in effectiveness. Conclusions Digitally mediated museum experiences represent an emerging field with potential for promoting well-being and supporting the development of protective socioemotional resources. Although current evidence is heterogeneous and limited, the findings support the relevance of cultural-digital environments as innovative contexts for health promotion and prevention strategies. Future research should prioritize longitudinal designs and the development of more robust evaluation frameworks. </p>