| 1. |
- Antonsson, Helena, et al.
(författare)
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Caregivers' reflections on their interactions with adult people with learning disabilities
- 2008
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Ingår i: Journal of Microscopy. - : Wiley. - 0022-2720 .- 1365-2818. ; 15:6, s. 484-91
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Tidskriftsartikel (refereegranskat)abstract
- People with learning disabilities and their professional carers often have difficulty interacting. The aim of this study was to illuminate carers' reflections on their interactions with adult people with learning disabilities. In a previous study, interactions between 16 carers and 11 residents with learning disabilities were recorded on video. In this study, stimulated recall interviews about the interactions were carried out with all the carers. The text was analysed using qualitative content analysis. The findings indicate that the carers reflected on both successful and unsuccessful interaction. Examples of successful interaction included understanding cues, satisfying needs, and managing challenging behaviours, and the carers reflected on the influences that successful interaction had on security, confidence, and satisfaction among the residents. Examples of unsuccessful interaction included failing to understand cues, failing to satisfy needs and failing to manage challenging behaviours, and the carers reflected on the consequences of such interaction, which included irritation, aggression and violence among the residents. Our findings have implications for interventions aimed at strengthening the competence of carers and developing strategies for managing challenging behaviour, in order to ensure high-quality care and a good working climate. © 2008 The Authors.
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| 2. |
- Egberg Thyme, Karin, 1943-, et al.
(författare)
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Individual brief art therapy can be helpful for women with breast cancer : A randomized controlled clinical study
- 2009
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Ingår i: Palliative & Supportive Care. - : Cambridge University Press. - 1478-9515 .- 1478-9523. ; 7:1, s. 87-95
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Tidskriftsartikel (refereegranskat)abstract
- Objective: Recent research shows that almost every second woman with breast cancer is depressed or has anxiety; the risk for younger women is even higher. Moreover, research shows that women are at risk for developing depression, also a threat for women with breast cancer. The aim of this randomized controlled clinical trial was to study the outcome of five sessions of art therapy given at a 5-week period of postoperative radiotherapy.Methods: The participants were between 37 and 69 years old; six participants in each group were below 50 years of age. Half of the participants (n = 20) received art therapy and the other half (n = 21) were assigned to a control group. At the first measurement, at least 17% (n = 7) of the participants medicated with antidepressants. Data were collected before and after art therapy and at a 4-month follow-up using self-rating scales that measure self-image (the Structural Analysis of Social Behaviour) and psychiatric symptoms (the Symptom Check List–90).Results: At follow-up, significant lower ratings of depression, anxiety, and somatic symptoms and less general symptoms were reported for the art therapy group compared to the control group. The regression analysis showed that art therapy relates to lower ratings of depression, anxiety, and general symptoms; chemotherapeutic treatment predicts lower depressive symptoms; in contrast to axilliary surgery and hormonal treatment as well as being a parent predicts higher ratings of anxiety and general symptoms.Significance of results: The conclusion suggests that art therapy has a long-term effect on the crisis following the breast cancer and its consequences.
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| 3. |
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| 4. |
- Erlingsson, Christen, et al.
(författare)
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Dilemmas in witnessing elder abuse in caregiving situations: A family member perspective
- 2009
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Ingår i: Southern Online Journal of Nursing Research. - 1538-0696. ; 9:1
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Tidskriftsartikel (refereegranskat)abstract
- Family members who witness elder abuse could be valuable partners to nurses and support personnel in case identification and intervention. The aim of this study was to explore an adult family member’s experiences of witnessing family situations of elder abuse. Interviews were conducted with a woman who had witnessed situations of elder abuse involving her uncle, his wife with disabilities, and health care personnel. Interviews were analyzed using van Manen’s thematic analysis and conception of narrative anecdotes, and development of poetic representations. The witness described conflictual feelings about her family and caregiving situation but felt there were no support personnel she could trust. She felt powerless and remained passive out of loyalty to family, need to protect family, and feeling shame that this was her family. Although she knew what she ought to do she could not live up to her ideals and instead tolerated escalating abuse. The family member witness viewed healthcare personnel as also tolerating and carrying responsibility for the abuse situation. For nurses and support personnel these findings point to the importance of personal and professional reflection and collegial discussions on morality, practice, what we see, and more importantly, what we do not see or want to see.
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| 5. |
- Erlingsson, Christen
(författare)
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Elder abuse through a prism of perceptions : perspectives of potential witnesses
- 2007
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Doktorsavhandling (övrigt vetenskapligt/konstnärligt)abstract
- The overall aim of this thesis was to deepen understanding of elder abuse (EA) by exploring and comparing perceptions held by experts, older persons, representatives of potential support organizations, and family members. Experts’ perspectives (I) were examined through risk indicators and screening questions (a) located in EA literature and (b) selected by an international Delphi panel. Risk indicators most commonly found in the literature or selected by the panel were compiled into consensus lists. There were differences between risk indicators and questions in the two lists. In papers II and III participants were interviewed in focus groups about their perceptions of EA. Older persons (II) considered EA to be due to changing society and family systems where children are not brought up to respect older persons. EA was mainly conceptualized as ageism, criminal actions, mistreatment in residential care, and societal abuse. The abuser was perceived as a stranger or a healthcare worker. Fear was discussed as a major consequence of EA; especially fear among women. Abused persons were described as carrying the responsibility to seek help. Witnesses were described as hesitant to get involved. Improvements in society such as educating children and healthcare workers were considered ways to cope with EA. Besides family and friends there were few spontaneous suggestions for where to seek help and support in society. These suggestions included healthcare, police, church, and volunteer organizations. Representatives of these suggested organizations were interviewed in focus groups about their perceptions of EA (III). Perceptions of both causes and conceptions of EA were very similar to perceptions of older persons (II). Four themes emerged in the data; good intentions in abusive situations, older generation’s responsibility for EA, failing to report abuse, and prevention of abuse. Participants (III) also expressed ageist attitudes themselves and findings included victim blaming and tolerance for EA. Participants perceived that anyone could be provoked to abuse, and that abusers can be considered victims in abusive situations. Confidentiality was discussed as a barrier to reporting and the need for educating children to show respect for older persons was identified. Interviews with an adult family member (IV) explored her experiences of witnessing abuse situations between her uncle and his wife. In her desire to protect and remain loyal to her family she felt powerless and tolerated abuse. She longed for support she could trust but was locked into passivity by her feelings of shame. Synthesis of findings (I – IV) revealed issues of isolation, autonomy, vulnerability, victim blaming, perceiving the abuser as a victim of circumstances, ageism, tolerating EA, shame, and power as essential elements in EA. Based on the findings, alternative descriptions of EA are offered as a challenge to existing EA definitions. Findings suggest that a key to unlocking EA is compassion, understood as the ability to see a situation as if we were in it ourselves, experiencing the potential for disrespect, shame and unworthiness inherent in abusive acts.
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| 6. |
- Isaksson, Ulf, et al.
(författare)
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Exposure to violence in relation to personality traits, coping abilities, and burnout among caregivers in nursing homes : a case-control study.
- 2008
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Ingår i: Scandinavian journal of caring sciences. - : Wiley. - 1471-6712 .- 0283-9318. ; 22:4, s. 551-559
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Tidskriftsartikel (refereegranskat)abstract
- BACKGROUND: Although violence toward caregivers occurs often and caregivers' ability to interact and deal with difficult situations is relevant in preventing such violence, few studies have been conducted that focus on caregivers' characteristics.AIM: This study explores the relationship between perceived exposure to violence and demographical factors, parental rearing, personality traits including coping abilities, defence styles, and burnout among caregivers working in nursing homes.METHOD: A total of 196 caregivers working in nursing homes were included. They were asked to complete questionnaires concerning demographical factors and exposure to violence. One group of female caregivers reporting no exposure to violence (n = 20) was matched with one group of exposed to violence (n = 20). Both groups were asked to complete questionnaires concerning parental rearing, personality traits, coping abilities, and burnout.RESULT: Around 68.4% of the caregivers had been exposed to violence during the previous year and 22.4% several times a week. Caregivers 50 years of age or younger and employed in geriatric care for more than 3 years were more frequently exposed to violence. Inter-group differences were found regarding 'maternal rejection' and 'burnout'. No statistical differences could be found concerning defence styles, coping ability, temperament, or character aspects.CONCLUSION: Violence toward caregivers occurs frequently and appears to be influenced by several factors. 'Maternal rejection' and 'burnout' among caregivers exposed to violence might influence the communication between caregivers and residents, rendering more violence. However, personality traits among caregivers do not seem to be associated with exposure to violence.
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| 7. |
- Isaksson, Ulf, et al.
(författare)
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Female caregivers' experiences of exposure to violence in nursing homes
- 2009
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Ingår i: Journal of Psychiatric and Mental Health Nursing. - : Wiley. - 1351-0126 .- 1365-2850. ; 16:1, s. 46-53
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Tidskriftsartikel (refereegranskat)abstract
- Although earlier studies have examined caregivers' experiences of exposure to violence, few have investigated female caregivers working in nursing homes with a specific focus on experiences throughout the entire scenario of a violent situation. This study illuminates female caregivers' experiences of being exposed to violence in nursing homes. Twenty caregivers working in three nursing homes located in northern Sweden were asked to narrate about a situation in which they had been exposed to violence. Their narratives were analysed by using qualitative content analysis. We found that the caregivers had preconceived ideas about violent behaviour, that they experienced a loss of control over the situation, and that they then strove to regain control. Experiences such as these may influence caregivers' interactions with residents who display violent behaviour. As a result of violent interactions, caregivers may distance themselves from the residents, an attitude that may decrease the quality of care. There is a risk that violence in nursing homes is accepted and normalized as a part of the job and hence persists.
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| 8. |
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| 9. |
- Isaksson, Ulf, et al.
(författare)
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Supporting the oldest old when completing a questionnaire : risking bias or gaining reliable results?
- 2007
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Ingår i: Research on aging. - : SAGE Publications. - 0164-0275 .- 1552-7573. ; 29:6, s. 576-89
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Tidskriftsartikel (refereegranskat)abstract
- The aim of this study was to elucidate the process of completing a questionnaire in a supportive face-to-face manner. A total of 12 participants, age 90 years or older, were asked to answer the Resilience Scale. The statements were read aloud and the participants answered verbally or by pointing to an enlarged copy of the reply form. Transcribed dialogues were analyzed by means of qualitative content analysis. Four types of dialogues were formulated: “Making a prompt decision,” “Deciding after a pensive dialogue,” “Deciding after an explanatory dialogue,” and “Deciding after an encouraging dialogue.” This article discusses risk for bias and ways to overcome the problem. The authors concluded that support via face-to-face interview in answering a questionnaire is valuable to obtaining valid data from very old persons.
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| 10. |
- Isaksson, Ulf, et al.
(författare)
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Violence in nursing homes : perceptions of female caregivers.
- 2008
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Ingår i: Journal of clinical nursing. - : Wiley. - 1365-2702 .- 0962-1067. ; 17:12, s. 1660-6
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Tidskriftsartikel (refereegranskat)abstract
- AIM: This study illuminates how female caregivers in nursing home perceive violence.BACKGROUND: Previous studies have focused on prevalence and types of violence and injuries in various settings and among various professionals. There are, however, few studies that examine how caregivers perceive violence.METHODS: Forty-one female caregivers at nursing homes were asked to reflect on a vignette containing a situation where a female caregiver is exposed to violence from a male resident. The reflections were analysed by qualitative content analysis.FINDINGS: The main finding indicates that perceiving an action as violent is in the eye of the beholder. Caregivers perceive violence to be challenging, intentional, excusable, ordinary and contextual relative to their own experience and attitudes.CONCLUSION AND RELEVANCE TO CLINICAL PRACTICE: As the perception of violence is subjective, there is a risk that violent incidents will be under-reported as well as over-reported. To avoid this, it is important to construct a well-defined operationalised definition of violence for research purposes. Our findings also indicate the need for individually structured and adjusted support for caregivers. To explore the complexity of violence, further research should focus on how caregivers and residents experience violence in a nursing home.
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| 11. |
- Isaksson, Ulf, 1959-
(författare)
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Våld mot vårdare i sjukhemsvård
- 2008
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Doktorsavhandling (övrigt vetenskapligt/konstnärligt)abstract
- This thesis aimed to explore factors related to the prevalence of violence towards caregivers working in a nursing home context. The aim was also to describe caregivers’ perceptions and experiences of violence in a nursing home context. The thesis comprises four studies. Study I includes data regarding environmental and organizational factors, residents’ and caregivers’ characteristics, and violence. Data concerning job satisfaction and working climate were also obtained. In study II, questionnaires were used to collect data concerning caregivers’ exposure to violence and their personal characteristics. Data concerning personality traits, coping resources, and burnout were collected by means of instruments. In order to illuminate caregivers’ perceptions of violence (III) and experiences of being exposed to violence (IV) interviews were performed. Quantitative data were analyzed by means of comparative and descriptive statistics. The interviews were transcribed and interpreted using a qualitative content analysis method. The results showed that 15 percent of the residents exhibited violent behaviour during the week of in-vestigation. A significant higher proportion of male residents were assessed by the caregivers to present violent behaviour compared to female residents. A discriminate analysis showed that the prevalence of behavioural symptoms and psychiatric symptoms, residents needing assistance with dressing, the caregivers’ psychological workload, and job satisfaction were the strongest discriminators between nursing home wards with a high versus low proportion of residents with violent behaviour (I). The results from study II showed that among the 196 caregivers participating in the study, 68 % re-ported exposure to violence during the previous year. Twenty-two percent reported exposure several times per week, and 51 % reported exposure at least once during the previous month. A higher proportion of caregivers 50 years or younger were exposed to violence compared to older caregivers. A higher proportion of caregivers with a work experience of three years or more reported exposure to violence compared to less experienced caregivers. A higher proportion caregivers who reported exposure to violence assessed symptoms on burnout and motherly rejection. No significant differences between the two groups were found concerning coping resources, defence mechanisms, temperament, and character. Study III showed that caregivers’ perceptions of violence are subjective and in the eye of the beholder. The caregivers perceive violence as challenging and expressed that caring situations had to be solved even though their own safety is perceived to be in danger. The caregivers perceive violence as intentional when the residents are judged to have a good cognitive capacity and are perceived to be conscious. However, the care-givers perceive violence as excusable when the residents are described as old and sick. The caregivers perceive violence as ordinary and as a part of the work situation. The caregivers also perceive violence as contextual since similar violence is accepted at the work place but not outside it. The result from study IV showed that the caregivers’ experiences of exposure to violence range be-tween being overwhelmed by contradictory emotions and being resigned. The caregivers have preconceived ideas towards the violent behaviour and describe being on guard in order to avoid being exposed to violence. The caregivers experience that they lose the control over a violent situation and strive to regain the control. They are overwhelmed by emotions such as surprise, anger, and repulsiveness and describe a resignation hav-ing to care for violent residents. Caring for violent residents is described as a constant struggle and the care-givers express a disappointment over insufficient support. The caregivers strive to regain the control by means of seeking excuses for the violent behaviour or by support from colleagues. The conclusions from this thesis are that the prevalence of violence is related to factors among the residents as well as the caregivers, that caregivers’ perceptions of violence are subjective and caregivers’ experi-ences varies between being overwhelmed by contradictory emotions and resignation. There is a risk that vio-lence in nursing homes becomes a norm, is accepted, and in this way is maintained. The boundary between what is acceptable and what is not acceptable becomes erased, the caregiver resigns, and the violence is not looked upon as a divergence but becomes a part of the working situation. It is therefore important that the problems with violence at nursing homes are attended to and that the caregivers are supported in their work.
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| 12. |
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| 13. |
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| 14. |
- Lundström, Mats, et al.
(författare)
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Personality impact on experiences of strain among caregivers exposed to violence in care of people with learning disabilities
- 2007
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Ingår i: Journal of Policy and Practice in Intellectual Disabilities. - : Wiley-Blackwell Publishing Inc.. - 1741-1122 .- 1741-1130. ; 4:1, s. 30-39
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Tidskriftsartikel (refereegranskat)abstract
- Explored are the relationships among personality and emotional reactions, work‐related strain, and experiences of burnout among staff exposed vs. not exposed to violence when caring for people with intellectual disabilities (ID). Questionnaires measuring personality, emotional reactions, strain and burnout, and exposure to violence were distributed to staff (n = 112) working in 22 group homes for people with ID aged 18 years and older in a community in northern Sweden. The results did not show evidence of a direct influence of personality variables on exposure to violence when working with people with ID and no direct relationships were found between exposure to violence and the staff members’ personality traits as measured with the Temperament and Character Inventory and Rosenberg’s Self‐Esteem Scale. Although the influence of personality traits on how the staff members experienced violence could not be clearly determined, the authors found an association between personality and strain and the risk of burnout in that certain staff exposed to violence felt more emotionally exhausted than did staff who were not exposed. The knowledge of the relationships among violence, personality, and risk of burnout may be important for the understanding which staff need special supports when working with people with ID.
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| 15. |
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| 16. |
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| 17. |
- Lundström, Mats, 1956-
(författare)
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Våld - utmaning och utmattning : vårdares utsatthet och upplevelser i samband med våld i gruppbostäder för personer med utvecklingsstörning
- 2006
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Doktorsavhandling (övrigt vetenskapligt/konstnärligt)abstract
- ABSTRACT This thesis aims to explore the prevalence of violence towards caregivers working in group home for people with learning disabilities, as well as the influence of work climate and personality on the caregivers’ experiences of strain and exposure to violence. The thesis comprises four studies conducted among caregivers working in group homes for people with learning disabilities in one urban district in Sweden. Study I includes data regarding caregivers’ exposure to violence and their demographics. In study II and III data were collected by instruments for measuring caregivers’ personalities and experiences of the work climate as well as emotional reactions, strain, and experiences of burnout. Data were also collected by 50 narrative interviews with 44 caregivers reporting exposure to violence. In order to illuminate caregivers’ experiences of being exposed to violence, the interviews were transcribed and interpreted using qualitative content analysis. The results showed that 31% of the caregivers (n=120) had been exposed to violence during the preceding year, with physical violence being the most common type. Weak relationships were found between reported exposure to violence and caregivers’ age and education (I). Among those in studies II and III who completed all instruments (n=112), 45 caregivers (40%) reported exposure to violence. A significant difference in age was found between exposed and not exposed caregivers. In the total sample of studies II and III, 30% (n=41) of the caregivers were at risk of developing burnout. The relationship between exposure to violence and the caregivers’ experiences of the work climate (CCQ) showed that “debates” was the only factor that on average was significantly higher among caregivers reporting violence from the residents. The caregivers’ emotional reactions, strain, and work climate factors explained 35% of the variance in burnout scores (II). No significant relationships were found between the caregivers’ personalities (TCI and RSES) and their exposure to violence. Personality dimensions explained 32% of the variance of the caregivers’ experiences of burnout. The results did not show a significant relationship between a caregiver’s personality and exposure to violence. However, those exposed to violence reported more emotional exhaustion than those not exposed (III). Caregivers exposed to violence reported feelings of powerlessness, insufficiency, anger and violence was very seldom followed by support from the managers at the group homes (I). Interviews show that caregivers’ experiences are about “falling apart” and “keeping it together”. Falling apart involves fear, powerlessness, sadness, anger, and timelessness, while keeping it together involves joy, respect, self-reflection, and habituation. Destructive experiences are balanced by a more constructive view of the situation by keeping the situation, and the caregivers themselves, together. The findings show that exposure to violence occurs frequently and a large proportion of the exposed caregivers are at risk for burnout. It was not possible to confirm the relationships between the caregivers’ personality, experiences of the work climate, and exposure to violence but partly to emotional reactions, strain and burnout. The findings of the four studies are discussed in relation to how it is to live and work in an environment where violence is of frequent occurrence.
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| 18. |
- Rørtveit, Kristine, et al.
(författare)
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Experiences of guilt as a mother in the context of eating difficulties
- 2009
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Ingår i: Issues in Mental Health Nursing. - : Informa UK Limited. - 0161-2840 .- 1096-4673. ; 30:10, s. 603-610
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Tidskriftsartikel (refereegranskat)abstract
- The aim of this study was to explore motherhood in the context of eating difficulties. The research question was: What are mothers' daily life experiences when suffering from ED? An explorative design was used. In-depth interviews (n = 8) focused on experiences of motherhood and eating difficulties. Data were interpreted by hermeneutic analysis. The main theme, "experiencing guilt as a mother in the context of eating difficulties," comprised two themes: (1) having a guilty conscience in relation to being a good enough mother and (2) being preoccupied about not involving the children in the eating difficulties. The study illuminates the importance of identifying mothers with eating difficulties and offering them treatment and support.
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| 19. |
- Rørtveit, Kristine, et al.
(författare)
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The feeling of being trapped in and ashamed of one's own body : A qualitative study of women who suffer from eating difficulties
- 2009
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Ingår i: International Journal of Mental Health Nursing. - : John Wiley & Sons. - 1445-8330 .- 1447-0349. ; 18:2, s. 91-99
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Tidskriftsartikel (refereegranskat)abstract
- The aim of this study was to explore women's bodily experiences of suffering from eating difficulties (ED). The research question was: How do women who suffer from ED experience the bodily aspects related to their condition? Women suffering from ED experience problems in both the physical and emotional areas. Few qualitative studies have specifically addressed sufferers' bodily experiences related to ED. An explorative design was used. The data were collected by means of focus group interviews on the subject of ED-related problems, guilt and shame, and being a mother. The interpretation of the qualitative data was inspired by hermeneutic content analysis. The main theme, 'Powerful feelings of being trapped in and ashamed of one's own body', comprised two themes: 'The feeling of being trapped by overwhelming physical sensations' and 'The feeling of being ashamed of one's own body'. Bodily experiences were reported as strong. One clinical implication for nurses is to acknowledge this fact and make it possible for these women to articulate their difficulties, especially those connected to the feelings of being trapped and ashamed. Support groups focusing on these themes could be one way of assisting women and easing some of the negative feelings associated with ED.
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| 20. |
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| 21. |
- Sandvide, Åsa
(författare)
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Våld i särskilda boenden för äldre : språk och sociala interaktioner
- 2008
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Doktorsavhandling (övrigt vetenskapligt/konstnärligt)abstract
- The present thesis aims to study the relationship between the violence that occurs in institutional care for older people and the language employed when this violence and the involved parties are talked and narrated. The thesis has been guided by social constructionism, and violence, victims and perpetrators have been considered as social phenomena constructed in discursive processes. Narrative interviews were conducted with 57 care providers who had been involved in social interactions in which violence occurred. The thesis comprises four studies. Study I is a qualitative description of the interactions. In study II, narrative analysis and positioning theory were used to explore the involved parties’ positions. Discourse analysis was employed to investigate discursively created identities (Study III), discursive constructions and how problems related to violence are framed (Study IV). When the care providers described the interactions, they talked about mutual misunderstandings, mutual invasions of personal space and an acceptance of violence in their work. It seemed more reasonable to consider the involved parties as both victims and perpetrators as opposed to one party being exposed and the other perpetrating the violence (I). When the positions of victim and perpetrator were questioned in one care provider’s narrative, they appeared to alter from perpetrator to victim to protector throughout the account by use of available discourses. The way of narrating, taking up or resisting the positions offered by the available discourses made it possible to create a preferred identity (II). These discursively created identities can be viewed as a way of defining an undesirable situation, thereby legitimizing the actions taken. The various identities led to consequences and effects such as loss of autonomy, the use of force, humiliation and exclusion. The construction of identities was connected to various beliefs about older persons (III). Beliefs define what actions are possible and legitimate in a certain context as well as forming the basis for the articulation of problems, thus studying such expressions made it possible to explore beliefs. The articulated problems were viewed as a way to create boundaries, indicating certain possible and relevant solutions. When the care providers talked about the interactions, they presented them as being due to a difficult and unavoidable problem related to the illness, caring for the body, competence and profession as well as social order (IV). The discursive struggle, competence, power, powerlessness, resistance, identity constructions, justification and quality of care are reflected upon and discussed. The analysis of the care providers’ narratives has made it possible to disclose how discourses concur and compete in order to give meaning to concrete social interactions involving violence. It has also been possible to show how to describe, understand and resist as well as to legitimize and justify the actions performed in relation to such interactions. The narratives opened up possibilities to study practices that are talked about as natural. The things that the care providers narrated about have been regarded as manifestations of discourses. Discourses produce certain versions of the interactions, victims and perpetrators, but it must be borne in mind that these are just a few among many possible versions, which are constantly changing.
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| 22. |
- Svensk, Ann-Christine, et al.
(författare)
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Art therapy improves experienced quality of life among women undergoing treatment for breast cancer : A randomized controlled study
- 2009
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Ingår i: European Journal of Cancer Care. - : John Wiley & Sons Inc.. - 0961-5423 .- 1365-2354. ; 18:1, s. 69-77
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Tidskriftsartikel (refereegranskat)abstract
- Women with breast cancer are naturally exposed to strain related to diagnosis and treatment, and this influences their experienced quality of life (QoL). The present paper reports the effect, with regard to QoL aspects, of an art therapy intervention among 41 women undergoing radiotherapy treatment for breast cancer. The women were randomized to an intervention group with individual art therapy sessions for 1 h/week (n = 20), or to a control group (n = 21). The WHOQOL-BREF and EORTC Quality of Life Questionnaire-BR23, were used for QoL assessment, and administrated on three measurement occasions, before the start of radiotherapy and 2 and 6 months later. The results indicate an overall improvement in QoL aspects among women in the intervention group. A significant increase in total health, total QoL, physical health and psychological health was observed in the art therapy group. A significant positive difference within the art therapy group was also seen, concerning future perspectives, body image and systemic therapy side effects. The present study provides strong support for the use of art therapy to improve QoL for women undergoing radiotherapy treatment for breast cancer.
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| 23. |
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| 24. |
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| 25. |
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| 26. |
- Öster, Inger, et al.
(författare)
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Art therapy for women with breast cancer : the therapeutic concequences of boundary strenghtening
- 2007
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Ingår i: The arts in psychotherapy. - Fayetteville, N.Y. : Ankho international. - 0197-4556 .- 1873-5878. ; 34:3, s. 277-288
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Tidskriftsartikel (refereegranskat)abstract
- Between 2001 and 2004, 42 women with breast cancer (20 women in the study group and 22 women in the control group) participated in an intervention study involving art therapy. This article elaborates on previous quantitative results, taking a discursive approach and drawing on gender theories in analyzing the women's use of interpretative repertoires in interviews and diaries and their answers on single items of the Coping Resources Inventory (CRI). The aim was to inquire into whether and, if so, how and with what consequences women with breast cancer who participated in art therapy improved their access to beneficial cultural interpretative repertoires, compared to a control group. The results showed a connection between participation in art therapy, talking about protecting one's own boundaries, and scoring higher on the CRI compared to the control group. There was also a connection between the control group, repertoire conflicts, and lower scores on the CRI. Our interpretation is that art therapy became a tool the women could use to distinguish cultural understandings about boundaries and, through image making and reflections, to give higher legitimacy to their own interpretations and experience.
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| 27. |
- Öster, Inger, 1949-
(författare)
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Bildterapi vid bröstcancer : Kvinnors berättelser i ord och bild
- 2007
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Doktorsavhandling (övrigt vetenskapligt/konstnärligt)abstract
- The overall aims of this thesis are to describe women’s experiences of breast cancer from a gender perspective, describe women’s experiences of an art therapy intervention and the effects of an art therapy intervention on self-rated coping resources and quality of life. The thesis presents results from a study with 42 women with primary breast cancer without distance metastasis who participated in a randomized intervention study with art therapy carried out between 2001 and 2004. All women were recruited as they were referred to the Department of Oncology at Umeå University Hospital in northern Sweden for postoperative radiotherapy. They were randomized to an intervention group (n = 20) with individual art therapy for 1 hour/week during postoperative radiotherapy, or to a control group (n = 22). The women were between 37–69 years old and had a range of educational and socioeconomic backgrounds. All 42 women completed questionnaires in connection with three interview occasions during six months: at baseline (start of radiotherapy), two and six months later. The questionnaires assessed coping resources, quality of life, symptoms, and self-image. In addition, all women were interviewed about their experiences, and were asked to write a weekly diary about their experiences of breast cancer during the six months of participation. All women signed a written consent form in which they were assured voluntariness and that ending their participation would not affect the care or medical treatment in any way. The study protocol was approved by the Umeå University Ethical Committee at the Medical Faculty (archive number 99-386). In this thesis, part of results from the study is reported. The results presented in the first study show an overall increase in coping resources as measured by the Coping Resources Inventory (CRI) among women with breast cancer after taking part in the art therapy intervention. Significant differences were seen between the study group and the control group in the total score on the second occasion and in the social domain on the second and third occasions. The second study reports results of the art therapy intervention, with regard to quality of life aspects as measured by the instruments WHOQOL-BREF and EORTC QLQ-BR23, at baseline (start of radiotherapy) and two and six months later. Significant increases in total health, total quality of life, physical health and psychological health were found in the art therapy group compared to the control group. A significant positive difference was also found within the intervention group, concerning future perspectives, body image and systemic therapy side effects. The third study builds on previous quantitative results, drawing on gender theories and, taking a discursive approach in analyzing the women’s use of interpretative repertoires in diaries and interviews. The results show a connection between participation in art therapy, talking about protecting one’s own boundaries, and scoring higher on the CRI compared to the control group. A connection between the control group, repertoire conflicts, and lower scores on the CRI was also found. The fourth study presents further knowledge about women’s trajectories, in art therapy, towards helpful management of restraining boundaries. We were inspired by discursive psychology and the analytic concept of subject position. The result shows that art therapy helped women to get access to subject positions that enabled them to protect and strengthen their boundaries and put forward their own needs. Taken together, the results from all four studies support art therapy as a valuable complement in oncology care and rehabilitation of women with primary breast cancer in similar contexts.
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- Öster, Inger, 1949-, et al.
(författare)
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Women with breast cancer and gendered limits and boundaries : Art therapy as a safe space for enacting alternative subject positions
- 2009
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Ingår i: The arts in psychotherapy. - : Elsevier Inc.. - 0197-4556 .- 1873-5878. ; 36:1, s. 29-38
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Tidskriftsartikel (refereegranskat)abstract
- This article takes its starting point from certain results from our randomized study on art therapy with women with breast cancer. Previous results from this study showed significant benefits on coping, quality of life, and symptoms for women who participated in an art therapy intervention. Analyses of interviews and diaries showed that especially women from the intervention group had distanced themselves from traditionally gendered understandings about cultural limits and boundaries. The aim of this study was to gain further knowledge about how women with breast cancer who participated in the art therapy intervention gave meaning to the gendered limits and boundaries in their daily lives, and to trace their trajectories, in therapy, towards helpful management of restraining boundaries. When analyzing the women's verbal reflections on the therapy sessions, we discerned five subject positions, defining them as follows: being someone who reacts to violation attempts; actively connecting body and self; actively locating oneself and moving forward; being in a position to see important connections throughout life; and being able to acknowledge and harbour conflicting emotions. The results of the study suggest that art therapy served as a tool that helped the women to get access to subject positions that enabled them to protect and strengthen their boundaries. This involved challenging dominating discourses and reacting against perceived boundary violations. Art therapy offered a personal, physical, and pictorial “safe space” with opportunities to deal with complex existential experiences and issues, and also make important connections throughout life. Looking back and summarizing important experiences acted as a way to prepare oneself for the future and moving forward.
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