A Colorful Solution: Using Art Therapy to Improve the Mental Health of Cancer Patients
School Name
Center For Advanced Technical Studies
Grade Level
12th Grade
Presentation Topic
Psychology
Presentation Type
Non-Mentored
Abstract
Cancer patients are more susceptible to developing depression as a result of the treatment process. According to The National Behavior Network, one-third of cancer patients experience mental or emotional distress. The goal of this experiment is to use art therapy as an outlet for various types of cancer patients to cope as they deal with symptoms of depression. In the Journal of Health and Psychology, "A Narrative View of Art Therapy and Art Making by Women with Breast Cancer", concluded artistic expression encouraged women to tell stories that may be discouraged by the public. The art therapy experiment was conducted with Lexington Medical Center's cancer "Sharing Hope" support group and the session met every Wednesday at 1:00 pm, starting January 15 through February 18. The sessions were conducted by a local art therapist. A survey called, "The Becks Depression Inventory" was distributed before the first art therapy session and after the last session. The surveys are anonymous and voluntary so they do not violate HIPPA. The hypothesis is if the cancer patients create art then their symptoms of depression will decrease. The independent variable is art therapy and the creation of different forms of art. The dependent variable is the results of the "Becks Depression Inventory" surveys. The surveys will be analyzed with a paired t-test to compare the means before and after the six-week art therapy session and demonstrate if there is a significant decrease in depression levels in the cancer patients over time.
Recommended Citation
Pifer, Mary Elizabeth, "A Colorful Solution: Using Art Therapy to Improve the Mental Health of Cancer Patients" (2020). South Carolina Junior Academy of Science. 41.
https://scholarexchange.furman.edu/scjas/2020/all/41
Location
Furman Hall 208
Start Date
3-28-2020 11:30 AM
Presentation Format
Oral Only
Group Project
No
A Colorful Solution: Using Art Therapy to Improve the Mental Health of Cancer Patients
Furman Hall 208
Cancer patients are more susceptible to developing depression as a result of the treatment process. According to The National Behavior Network, one-third of cancer patients experience mental or emotional distress. The goal of this experiment is to use art therapy as an outlet for various types of cancer patients to cope as they deal with symptoms of depression. In the Journal of Health and Psychology, "A Narrative View of Art Therapy and Art Making by Women with Breast Cancer", concluded artistic expression encouraged women to tell stories that may be discouraged by the public. The art therapy experiment was conducted with Lexington Medical Center's cancer "Sharing Hope" support group and the session met every Wednesday at 1:00 pm, starting January 15 through February 18. The sessions were conducted by a local art therapist. A survey called, "The Becks Depression Inventory" was distributed before the first art therapy session and after the last session. The surveys are anonymous and voluntary so they do not violate HIPPA. The hypothesis is if the cancer patients create art then their symptoms of depression will decrease. The independent variable is art therapy and the creation of different forms of art. The dependent variable is the results of the "Becks Depression Inventory" surveys. The surveys will be analyzed with a paired t-test to compare the means before and after the six-week art therapy session and demonstrate if there is a significant decrease in depression levels in the cancer patients over time.
