| Abstract [eng] |
Topic of the study: Experience of art therapy on emotional well-being of people with oncology diseases. Oncology patients spend a lot of time in the hospital, isolated from everyday life, work, their family. The treatment of oncology disease becomes a full priority, not only for a patient, but also for the whole family. During the treatment of the disease, the physical side – effects, and clinical medication of the disease becomes the most important. Because of that, the psychological and social complexities are sooner or later forgotten. But, only once physical health improves, focus begins to shift to them. Art therapy can be a very good intervention, that allows oncology patients to talk about physical pain and emotions they are experiencing. Also, it allows new social opportunities to emerge, such as talking with other patients. “Art is a creative process. It is a natural ability, everyone can draw – to express themselves visually. The process itself can be applied to healing or helping. The person gets physically and actively involved in it.” (A. Dapkutė, 2008, p. 8). The aim of study: To analyze the emotional well-being of oncology patients after the group art therapy sessions. Participants: The study was carried out at the National Cancer Institute (Nacionalinis Vėžio Institutas, NVI) with patients, that were receiving cancer treatment. Methodology: The participants attended art therapy sessions followed by a semi-structured interview. The data for the results are gathered from: the analysis of the drawings using Expressive Therapy Continuum (ETC) method, the reflections shared by the subjects during the art therapy sessions, and the thematic analysis of the semi-structured interviews. Results: After the art therapy sessions two of the participants experienced a relief and calmness. One of the participants, after expressing strong negative emotions through the art therapy, can feel inner peace. Conclusion: The results of the research show the importance of the art therapy’s creative process for oncology patient’s emotions, and feelings expression. |
