Effects of Buddhist Personal Growth and Counseling Group with Art in Post-Leukemia Treatment Individuals

Abstract

Background:The necessity of restoring psychological well-being of post-cancer treatment individuals has been widely recognized both among medical and mental health professionals. Attempts have been made to enhance such support, with art therapy being among those demonstrated to be effective. Still, the benefits of the therapy remain compromised due to the lack of a facilitating role of group leaders. The current study aimed to address this and add structure into the use of art in assisting post-cancer treatment individuals to explore and express their personal experiences. Buddhist Personal Growth and Counseling (BPGC) which has been developed by incorporating the teaching and way of living of Buddhism, Thailand’s national religion, were made, beginning with art.

Methods: The current study, therefore, aimed to demonstrate the effects of BPGC with art on indicators of psychological well-being, both from the Eastern and Western perspective, PAÑÑÂ and Acceptance. Additionally, the effectiveness of the group for reducing the psychological distress of depression will be examined. One hundred and thirteen post cancer treatment persons participated in this quasiexperimental research study with pre-posttest treatment and control groups. Participants were randomly assigned into the BPGC with art, an art therapy group, and a control group. Upon completing an eight-week program, participants responded to the repeated measures using the quasi-experimental research design of PAÑÑÂ, Acceptance, and depression. Repeated Measures ANOVAs were conducted to compare the pre-post treatment and between- group scores.

Results: Findings demonstrated that, at post-treatment, the PAÑÑÂ and Acceptance of participants in the BPGC with art increased significantly; and their depression decreased significantly. Their posttreatment scores were also higher in terms of PAÑÑÂ and Acceptance and lower in terms of Depression, when compared those of participants in the art therapy and control groups.

Conclusions: Findings, discussion and theoretical results, as well as therapeutic implications of the use of BPGC with art, both within and outside the Thai cultural contexts, are offered.