Art Therapy for Chinese Canadian Breast Cancer Survivors in Toronto

Abstract

Aims: The major purpose of this study was to evaluate the feasibility and efficacy of an art therapy support group program for Chinese Canadian breast cancer survivors. The sub-purpose was to understand the experiences of Chinese breast cancer survivors during and after the arts-based intervention. Study Design: A qualitative design was used in this study. Place and Duration of Study: The study was conducted at an urban community health centre in Toronto, Canada between February 2014 and June 2014. Methodology: A convenience sample of 12 Chinese women were recruited to participate in six 3-hour monthly art therapy workshops at the urban community health centre. Focus group interview was used in this study. The interviews were audio tape-recorded and transcribed verbatim. Krueger’s framework of analysis guided the data analysis. Results: Five themes were emerged from the data: a) an aesthetic means to explore personal inner world, b) a vehicle to share and communicate life experience with others, c) a reflection to make a constructive or positive change in one’s life, d) regaining a sense of empowerment and control, and e) looking forward to a much brighter future. Conclusion: This study suggests that breast cancer survivors may benefit from participating in art therapy workshops. Chinese Canadians with breast cancer seem to find passion and pleasure in making art. The findings suggest that art therapy is a useful avenue to address psychosocial challenges posed by breast cancer and can enhance non-verbal expression of personal feeling. The finding also suggests that a culturally and linguistically friendly art therapy program is more appropriate for Chinese immigrants who suffered from emotional distress.