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Dissertation
The Effects of Self-Book© Art Therapy on Emotional Distress in Female Cancer Patients: A Randomized Controlled Trial
Doctor of Philosophy (Ph.D.), Drexel University
Mar 2015
DOI:
https://doi.org/10.17918/etd-6147
Abstract
The purpose of this study was to evaluate the effects of the Self-Book© art therapy intervention on emotional distress and psychological well-being in female cancer patients. Assessing and treating patients' unmet emotional needs is a national focus in oncology care today. The intervention provided patients with an opportunity to portray their feelings and identify coping skills artistically through a creative process. Art therapy is based on the theory that the human mind tends to experience intrusive and avoidant stress response symptoms when faced with adverse events, such as a life-threatening illness. Creative expression can help patients reintegrate their sense of self and strengthen personal attributes. To evaluate the intervention, a repeated measures randomized controlled trial design was employed. Sixty consenting women were enrolled and randomly assigned to either the six-session Self-Book© art therapy intervention group or the standard care control group. Results suggest that Self-Book© art therapy may help decrease emotional distress and enhance spiritual well-being in female cancer patients during active oncology treatment. Positive trends in the data were present, but there were no statistically significant differences between the groups for the two main variables. Small treatment effects were found for Self-Book© art therapy on participants' psychological well-being. However, one subscale measure revealed statistically significant greater improvements in Self-Book© art therapy participants' spiritual wellbeing compared to the standard care control participants. Additionally, 30% of art therapy participants reported post-intervention emotional distress scores that were below the clinical range for emotional distress, compared with only 5% of standard care control participants, suggesting that Self-Book© art therapy has clinical significance. Analysis of limited narrative data from exit interviews contributed to positive trends in emotional distress, suggesting that emotional needs were met for the majority of Self-Book© art therapy participants.
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Details
- Title
- The Effects of Self-Book© Art Therapy on Emotional Distress in Female Cancer Patients
- Creators
- Donna M. Radl - DU
- Contributors
- Joke Bradt (Advisor) - Drexel University (1970-)
- Awarding Institution
- Drexel University
- Degree Awarded
- Doctor of Philosophy (Ph.D.)
- Publisher
- Drexel University; Philadelphia, Pennsylvania
- Resource Type
- Dissertation
- Language
- English
- Academic Unit
- Creative Arts Therapies; College of Nursing and Health Professions; Drexel University
- Other Identifier
- 6147; 991014632334304721