Outcomes of collage art-based and narrative self-expression among home hospice caregivers

Abstract

Aims: This mixed methods quasi-experimental study examined the outcomes of a brief art therapy-based and a narrative interview-based intervention to address the psychosocial needs of home hospice caregivers. Methods: Participants (n = 14) chose to participate either in a narrative interview (n = 7) or artsbased interview (n = 7). Standardised self-report measures of affect, spiritual well-being, perceived stress, and self-efficacy and physiological markers of stress(salivary cortisol) and social/emotional connection (oxytocin levels) were collected before and after intervention sessions. Results: Qualitative findings indicated that caregivers (a) recognized their need for reducing stress and isolation; (b) experienced a learning curve related to illness and hospice care; (c) engaged in existential reflections on purpose and values; and were (d) living through progressive grief and loss. Quantitative findings indicated that the narrative condition group experienced improved spiritual well-being and negative affect. Both conditions were followed by improved positive affect. There were no statistically significant changes in salivary cortisol or oxytocin for either condition. Conclusion: The results suggest that caregivers might need longer term interventions for sustained changes. Implications for further research: Further research is needed to examine the role of narrative and visual self-expression among home hospice caregivers. Study limitations included a small non-randomised sample, lack of transcribed interview data, and incomplete survey and biomarker data.

A Novel Mindful-Compassion Art-Based Therapy for Reducing Burnout and Promoting Resilience Among Healthcare Workers: Findings From a Waitlist Randomized Control Trial

“…This result is in line with the comprehensive meta-analysis conducted by Khory et al (2013) , who have identified strong evidence to support the efficacy of mindfulness-based therapies in reducing anxiety, depression, and stress among clinical populations with consolidated effect sizes ranging from small to medium in pre-post comparison and waitlist-control studies. The result is also aligned with the burgeoning body of research that has reported creative self-expression through art making and art-based narratives as an important vehicle for burnout reduction and wellness promotion among healthcare workers ( Huet and Holttum, 2016 ; Huet, 2017 ; Tjasink and Soosaipillai, 2019 ; Kaimal et al, 2020 ). Of note, treatment gains in reduced mental exhaustion were not only maintained but also enhanced by a 5-folds increase in effect size at 12-weeks follow-up.…”

“…The result is also aligned with the burgeoning body of research that has reported creative self-expression through art making and art-based narratives as an important vehicle for burnout reduction and wellness promotion among healthcare workers (Huet and Holttum, 2016;Huet, 2017;Tjasink and Soosaipillai, 2019;Kaimal et al, 2020). Of note, treatment gains in reduced mental exhaustion were not only maintained but also enhanced by a 5-folds increase in effect size at 12-weeks follow-up.…”

Mood Worlds: A Virtual Environment for Autonomous Emotional Expression

“…• different crayons and felt pens, in pastel shades and bright colours, selected based on colour psychology [54,55] and to allow free painting from the imagination [69] • play-dough clay, based on research about haptics and using sandboxes to express oneself [69] • a set of 30 postcards/photos (10 per emotion), based on the notion that the process of selecting images is likely to be an expression of self-expression, facilitates spontaneity and represents self-opening [34] and that the so called magazine picture collage technique is beneficial for people without artistic talent [14]. Those images can depict any context, e.g.…”

Spirituality During the COVID-19 Pandemic: An Online Creative Arts Intervention With Photocollages for Older Adults in Italy and Israel

“…Collage is a popular practice in which participants select various materials and images, compose them, and attach them to a surface ( Raffaelli and Hartzell, 2016 ; Russo-Zimet, 2016 ; Kaimal et al, 2020 ). Collage-making is an effective way of helping older adults process their memories and life experiences ( Stallings, 2010 ; Keisari et al, 2022b ).…”