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Keisari S, Piol S, Orkibi H, Elkarif T, Mola G, Testoni I. Spirituality During the COVID-19 Pandemic: An Online Creative Arts Intervention With Photocollages for Older Adults in Italy and Israel. Front Psychol 2022; 13:897158. [PMID: 35783728 PMCID: PMC9245519 DOI: 10.3389/fpsyg.2022.897158] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/15/2022] [Accepted: 05/24/2022] [Indexed: 11/25/2022] Open
Abstract
The present study aimed to examine how expressions of spirituality were stimulated and reflected in an online creative arts intervention for older adults during COVID-19 lockdowns. The online process focused on the creation of digital photocollages together with narrative elements of dignity therapy. Twenty-four Israeli and Italian community-dwelling older adults aged 78–92 participated in a three-session online intervention involving the production of three photocollages. The visual and verbal data (participants’ chosen photos and photocollages, and transcripts of the sessions) were qualitatively analyzed within an abductive framework. Four themes were generated, representing the four domains of spirituality that were stimulated by and expressed in the process: (1) Connectedness with the self, (2) connectedness with others, (3) connectedness with the environment, and (4) connectedness with the transcendent. The findings show how photographs can serve as projective visual stimuli which elicit personal content through spontaneous thinking, and they reveal the multifaceted nature of spirituality, wherein each domain nourishes the others. Overall, the findings illustrate how creative arts intervention guided by the tenets of dignity therapy can contribute to the spiritual care of older adults during periods of social isolation, or to the spiritual support provided in palliative care.
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Affiliation(s)
- Shoshi Keisari
- School of Creative Arts Therapies, University of Haifa, Haifa, Israel
- The Centre for Research and Study of Aging, University of Haifa, Haifa, Israel
- The Emily Sagol Creative Arts Therapies Research Center, University of Haifa, Haifa, Israel
- Department of Philosophy, Sociology, Education and Applied Psychology (FISPPA), University of Padova, Padua, Italy
- *Correspondence: Shoshi Keisari,
| | - Silvia Piol
- Department of Philosophy, Sociology, Education and Applied Psychology (FISPPA), University of Padova, Padua, Italy
| | - Hod Orkibi
- School of Creative Arts Therapies, University of Haifa, Haifa, Israel
- The Emily Sagol Creative Arts Therapies Research Center, University of Haifa, Haifa, Israel
| | - Talia Elkarif
- School of Creative Arts Therapies, University of Haifa, Haifa, Israel
| | - Giada Mola
- Department of Philosophy, Sociology, Education and Applied Psychology (FISPPA), University of Padova, Padua, Italy
| | - Ines Testoni
- The Emily Sagol Creative Arts Therapies Research Center, University of Haifa, Haifa, Israel
- Department of Philosophy, Sociology, Education and Applied Psychology (FISPPA), University of Padova, Padua, Italy
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Keisari S, Piol S, Elkarif T, Mola G, Testoni I. Crafting Life Stories in Photocollage: An Online Creative Art-Based Intervention for Older Adults. Behav Sci (Basel) 2021; 12:1. [PMID: 35049612 PMCID: PMC8773113 DOI: 10.3390/bs12010001] [Citation(s) in RCA: 13] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/04/2021] [Revised: 12/03/2021] [Accepted: 12/13/2021] [Indexed: 11/17/2022] Open
Abstract
Creative arts therapies (CAT) provide a safe and creative environment for older adults to process life experiences and maintain personal growth while aging. There is a growing need to make creative arts therapies more accessible to the aging population, as many have limited access to these services. This need has been catalyzed by the advent of the COVID-19 pandemic. Tele-CAT offers a possible solution. This study explored the experiences of older adults who participated in an online creative process of digital photocollage based on CAT. Twenty-four Italian and Israeli community-dwelling older adults aged 78 to 92 participated in this research through Zoom teleconferencing software. Transcriptions of the sessions and the art produced through the photocollage were qualitatively analyzed through Thematic Analysis. The findings show that the projective stimuli of digital photographs supported older adults' narratives and engaged them in a more embodied emotional experience. Participant experiences involved artistic enjoyment within a positive and safe interaction with therapists. The creation of digital photocollages allowed the participants to process their life experiences and create an integrative view of their life, a vital developmental task in late life. These results point to the advantages and challenges of tele-CAT for older adults.
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Affiliation(s)
- Shoshi Keisari
- Department of Philosophy, Sociology, Pedagogy and Applied Psychology (FISPPA), University of Padova, 35131 Padova, Italy; (S.P.); (G.M.); (I.T.)
- School of Creative Arts Therapies, University of Haifa, Haifa 3498838, Israel;
- Emili Sagol Creative Arts Therapies Research Center, University of Haifa, Haifa 3498838, Israel
| | - Silvia Piol
- Department of Philosophy, Sociology, Pedagogy and Applied Psychology (FISPPA), University of Padova, 35131 Padova, Italy; (S.P.); (G.M.); (I.T.)
| | - Talia Elkarif
- School of Creative Arts Therapies, University of Haifa, Haifa 3498838, Israel;
| | - Giada Mola
- Department of Philosophy, Sociology, Pedagogy and Applied Psychology (FISPPA), University of Padova, 35131 Padova, Italy; (S.P.); (G.M.); (I.T.)
| | - Ines Testoni
- Department of Philosophy, Sociology, Pedagogy and Applied Psychology (FISPPA), University of Padova, 35131 Padova, Italy; (S.P.); (G.M.); (I.T.)
- Emili Sagol Creative Arts Therapies Research Center, University of Haifa, Haifa 3498838, Israel
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Ho AHY, Tan-Ho G, Ngo TA, Ong G, Chong PH, Dignadice D, Potash J. A Novel Mindful-Compassion Art-Based Therapy for Reducing Burnout and Promoting Resilience Among Healthcare Workers: Findings From a Waitlist Randomized Control Trial. Front Psychol 2021; 12:744443. [PMID: 34744918 PMCID: PMC8566679 DOI: 10.3389/fpsyg.2021.744443] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/20/2021] [Accepted: 09/08/2021] [Indexed: 11/28/2022] Open
Abstract
Protecting the mental health of healthcare workers is an urgent global public health priority. Healthcare workers, especially those immersed in palliative care, are prone to burnout due to the intense emotions associated with end-of-life caregiving. This study examines the efficacy of a novel, multimodal, and group-based Mindful-Compassion Art-based Therapy (MCAT) that integrates reflective self-awareness with creative emotional expression for protecting healthcare workers' mental health. A dual-arm open-label waitlist randomized controlled trial was conducted. A total of 56 healthcare workers were recruited from the largest homecare hospice in Singapore and randomized to the immediate-treatment condition of a standardized 6-week, 18-hours MCAT intervention (n=29), or the waitlist-control condition (n=27). Self-administered outcome measures on burnout, resilience, emotional regulation, self-compassion, death attitudes, and quality of life were collected at baseline, post-intervention/second-baseline at 6weeks, and follow-up/post-intervention at 12weeks. Results from mixed model ANOVAs reveal that treatment group participants experienced significant reduction in mental exhaustion, as well as significant improvements in overall emotional regulation, nonreactivity to intrusive thoughts, approach acceptance of death, and afterlife belief as compared to waitlist-control immediately after MCAT completion. Effect sizes of these impacts ranged from medium to large (η 2=0.65 to 0.170). Results from one-way ANOVAs further reveal that the treatment gains of reduced mental exhaustion and increased emotional regulation were maintained among treatment group participants at 12-weeks follow-up compared to baseline, with new benefits identified. These include increased ability to observe and describe one's experiences, elevated overall self-compassion, greater mindful awareness, enhanced common humanity, and better quality of life. Effect sizes of these impacts were large (η 2=0.128 to 0.298). These findings reflect the robust effectiveness and positive residual effects of MCAT for reducing burnout, building resilience, nurturing compassion, fostering collegial support, and promoting mental wellness among healthcare workers. The clinical model and applicability of MCAT in larger and more diverse caregiving contexts, such as family dementia care, are discussed. Clinical Trial Registration: ClinicalTrials.gov # NCT03440606, #NCT04548089.
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Affiliation(s)
- Andy Hau Yan Ho
- Action Research for Community Health Laboratory, Psychology Programme, School of Social Sciences, Nanyang Technological University, Singapore, Singapore
- Lee Kong Chian School of Medicine, Nanyang Technological University, Singapore, Singapore
- The Palliative Care Centre for Excellence in Research and Education, Singapore, Singapore
| | - Geraldine Tan-Ho
- Action Research for Community Health Laboratory, Psychology Programme, School of Social Sciences, Nanyang Technological University, Singapore, Singapore
| | - Thuy Anh Ngo
- Action Research for Community Health Laboratory, Psychology Programme, School of Social Sciences, Nanyang Technological University, Singapore, Singapore
| | - Grace Ong
- Assisi Hospice, Singapore, Singapore
| | | | | | - Jordan Potash
- Art Therapy Program, The George Washington University, Ashburn, VA, United States
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Srolovitz M, Borgwardt J, Burkart M, Clements-Cortes A, Czamanski-Cohen J, Ortiz Guzman M, Hicks MG, Kaimal G, Lederman L, Potash JS, Yazdian Rubin S, Stafford D, Wibben A, Wood M, Youngwerth J, Jones CA, Kwok IB. Top Ten Tips Palliative Care Clinicians Should Know About Music Therapy and Art Therapy. J Palliat Med 2021; 25:135-144. [PMID: 34665661 DOI: 10.1089/jpm.2021.0481] [Citation(s) in RCA: 11] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/13/2022] Open
Abstract
Palliative care is provided by an interdisciplinary team, including physicians, advanced practice providers, nurses, social workers, chaplains, and other disciplines based on need. Music therapists and art therapists are becoming increasingly available to palliative care teams and are advancing the diverse and unique clinical services available to effectively meet the holistic needs of patients with serious illnesses and their families. This article provides a concrete exploration of clinical music therapy and art therapy within palliative care and hospice paradigms, with discussion of therapists' training and expertise, therapeutic approaches within the setting of interprofessional team-based care, and discussion of evidence-based symptom management and outcomes supporting the inclusion of music and art therapies within medical education and clinical employment.
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Affiliation(s)
- Melissa Srolovitz
- Penn Medicine Hospice, Penn Medicine at Home, University of Pennsylvania Health System, Bala Cynwyd, Pennsylvania, USA
| | - Jennifer Borgwardt
- Penn Medicine Hospice, Penn Medicine at Home, University of Pennsylvania Health System, Bala Cynwyd, Pennsylvania, USA
| | - Moreen Burkart
- VNA Hospice of the Treasure Coast, Vero Beach, Florida, USA
| | | | - Johanna Czamanski-Cohen
- The School of Creative Arts Therapies, Faculty of Welfare and Health Sciences, University of Haifa, Haifa, Israel.,Emili Sagol Creative Arts Therapies Research Center, Faculty of Social Welfare and Health Sciences, University of Haifa, Haifa, Israel
| | | | - Molly G Hicks
- Penn Medicine Hospice, Penn Medicine at Home, University of Pennsylvania Health System, Bala Cynwyd, Pennsylvania, USA
| | - Girija Kaimal
- Department of Creative Arts Therapies, Drexel University, Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, USA
| | | | - Jordan S Potash
- Art Therapy Program, The George Washington University, Alexandria, Virginia, USA
| | | | - Daniel Stafford
- Lucille Packard Children's Hospital, Stanford University, Palo Alto, California, USA
| | - Angela Wibben
- Palliative Care Consult Service, University of Colorado Hospital, Aurora, Colorado, USA
| | | | - Jean Youngwerth
- Department of Medicine, UCHealth University of Colorado Hospital Palliative Care Service, University of Colorado School of Medicine, Aurora, Colorado, USA
| | - Christopher A Jones
- Department of Medicine, Duke University School of Medicine, Durham, North Carolina, USA
| | - Ian B Kwok
- Division of Geriatrics and Palliative Medicine, Weill Cornell Medical College, New York, New York, USA
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