Re-activating life skills in cancer patients through expressive-creative workshops: A qualitative exploratory study. Issue 3 (2nd September 2022)

• Record Type: Journal Article
• Authors: Gangeri, L.; Alfieri, S.; Sborea, S.; Fontana, N.; Ferraris, D.; Borreani, C.
• Is Part Of: Arts & health. Volume 14:Issue 3(2022)
• Page Start: 280
• Page End: 294
• Publication Date: 2022-09-02
• Subjects: Group -- workshops -- life skills -- oncology -- post-traumatic growth -- rehabilitation; Arts -- Therapeutic use -- Periodicals; Medical care -- Periodicals; Public health -- Periodicals; 615.8515
• DOI: 10.1080/17533015.2021.1931894
• Languages: English
• ISSNs: 1753-3015

Abstract

ABSTRACT: Background: Cancer strongly impacts on patients' lives, undermining their life skills. This research aimed to explore the perception of efficacy of participants in a series of expressive-creative workshops (ArtLab) designed to reactivate life skills in cancer patients. Methods: Quotations of two semi-structured focus groups with ten participants in ArtLab (Mean Age = 59; SD = 11.19) enrolled at [Fondazione IRCCS Istituto Nazionale dei Tumori] have been analyzed through a priori (top-down) thematic analysis which allowed us to identify life skills provided by WHO 1948: Emotional, Relational and Cognitive. Results: Thematic analysis showed ArtLab program's effectiveness, especially regarding Emotional and Relational life skills. Cognitive skills, instead, seemed to be only partially expressed. Sub-themes articulation for each life skill has been discussed. Conclusion: This study provides encouraging results with respect to the effectiveness of expressive-creative group workshops among cancer patients.