An Art Therapy Intervention in Oncology using Collage for strengthening self-ascribed Autonomy

Abstract

In psycho-oncology the development of specific art therapy interventions is necessary to strengthen and to support the autonomy of inpatients. Some art therapy interventions have been developed for cancer patients but none specifically for inpatients. The first step was to develop an art therapy intervention. Collage was used as a significant technique. A second step was to identify the power factors of this art therapy intervention (KSKT®) for the conditions of the inpatients. Therefore the art technique collage was analysed as a therapeutic tool. A further step was a qualitative study with 5 inpatients who were interviewed. The study population consisted of adult women (age ranged from 25 to 55 years) treated in an acute hospital for cancer. In the theoretical approach, collage was associated with supporting autonomy, establishing new life structures in the pictorial space, passing restrictive limitations and exploring emotions. These are therapeutic effects that can be attained by the use of the KSKT®. The qualitative study found the patients evaluated the intervention positively. They felt stabilized and their self-ascribed autonomy was strengthened. The intervention (KSKT®) meets the therapeutic objectives for oncology inpatients.

Keywords: Art therapy intervention - psycho-oncology - special needs of inpatients - collage - autonomy - qualitative study