Oncology expressive arts: providing a window to reflect on a stressful experience

Abstract

Purpose Evaluate changes in mood, perceived need for help, and task enjoyment after participation in a one-time Oncology on Canvas expressive arts workshop intervention. Methods Mixed methods design. Sample: military-veteran oncology survivors and their adult `ohana (family members, caregivers, friends, healthcare providers, volunteers). Measurement tools: Emotion Thermometers, Multiple Affect Adjective Checklist-Revised, Task Enjoyment Question, semi-structured interviews, and self-reflective narratives. Colaizzi’s Phenomenological Method was used to conduct a thematic analysis. Findings Significant improvements in mood, increased task enjoyment, and decreased perceived need for help, with continued effects for up to 30-60 days post-intervention. Conclusions A one-time expressive arts workshop intervention can provide a window for oncology survivors and their adult `ohana to reflect on a stressful experience. Implications for Psychosocial Providers Psychosocial healthcare providers (APRNs, nurse educators, LCSWs, psychologists) who are not professional art therapists can effectively implement expressive arts workshops as a cost-effective intervention for oncology survivors and their `ohana.