engleski

Arts/exspressive Therapies and Coping of Child with Malignant Disease

Malignant disease leads to a series of changes in physical functioning caused by the activity of primary malignant disease and invasive medical treatment. In addition, a child is faced with the secondary effects of these processes on bodily functions and body image and with the disturbances of psycho-emotional functioning. This presentation will show some experiences of the authors in the application of arts/expressive therapies as a complementary approach to treatment and rehabilitation of children with malignant disease. Within 3 case studies and research, which are conducted at the Department of Oncology and Hematology in Children’s Hospital Zagreb, authors will present the structures of the therapy sessions and dynamic changes in the frame of therapeutic process, as well as some applied quantitative and qualitative assessment methods of the therapeutic outcomes. The proposed hypotheses ware related to the positive effects of arts/expressive interventions on coping mechanisms, and emotional experience and expression of the child during the therapeutic process. In the first case study (boy, age 14, Dg. Osteosarcoma Maxilae), have been applied art techniques of painting, drawing mandalas and making masks. In the second case study (girls, age 7, Dg. Osteoplastic expansive formation of the lower leg) have been applied puppet and drawing techniques, and in the third case study (girls, age 8, Dg: Lymphoblastic leukemia) have been applied the techniques of clay-modeling and stop-motion animation. The collected session material and assessment results showed the value of the analytical approach and the application of complementary arts/expressive therapies in the complex treatment in accordance with the individual needs of a child with a malignant disease.

art/expressive therapies, coping, child with malignant disease

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