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.