Jordan S Potash1, Andy Hy Ho2, Faye Chan3, Xiao Lu Wang4, Carol Cheng5. 1. Lecturer, Centre on Behavioral Health, Department of Social Work and Social Administration, University of Hong Kong, 2/F Hong Kong Jockey Club Building for Interdisciplinary Research, 5 Sassoon Road, Pokfulam, Hong Kong. 2. Research Assistant Professor, Sau Po Centre on Aging, University of Hong Kong, Hong Kong. 3. Honorary Program Adviser, The Society for the Promotion of Hospice Care, Hong Kong, and College Senior Lecturer, HKUSPACE Community College, Hong Kong. 4. Senior Project Manager, ExCEL3 Project of the Faculty of Social Sciences, University of Hong Kong, Hong Kong. 5. Education Manager, The Society for the Promotion of Hospice Care, Hong Kong.
Abstract
BACKGROUND: The need for empathy and the difficulties of coping with mortality when caring for the dying and the bereaved can cause psychological, emotional, and spiritual strain. OBJECTIVE: The aim of this study was to examine the effectiveness of art-therapy-based supervision in reducing burnout and death anxiety among end-of-life care workers in Hong Kong. METHODS: Through a quasi-experimental design, 69 participants enrolled in a 6-week, 18-hour art-therapy-based supervision group, and another 63 enrolled in a 3-day, 18-hour standard skills-based supervision group (n=132). Pre- and post-intervention assessments were carried out with three outcome measures: the Maslach Burnout Inventory-General Survey, the Five Facet Mindfulness Questionnaire, and the Death Attitude Profile-Revised. The data was analysed using paired sample t-tests. RESULTS: Significant reductions in exhaustion and death anxiety and significant increases in emotional awareness were observed for participants in the art-therapy-based supervision group. CONCLUSION: This study provides preliminary evidence that art-therapy-based supervision for end-of-life care workers can reduce burnout by enhancing emotional awareness and regulation, fostering meaning-making, and promoting reflection on death.
BACKGROUND: The need for empathy and the difficulties of coping with mortality when caring for the dying and the bereaved can cause psychological, emotional, and spiritual strain. OBJECTIVE: The aim of this study was to examine the effectiveness of art-therapy-based supervision in reducing burnout and death anxiety among end-of-life care workers in Hong Kong. METHODS: Through a quasi-experimental design, 69 participants enrolled in a 6-week, 18-hour art-therapy-based supervision group, and another 63 enrolled in a 3-day, 18-hour standard skills-based supervision group (n=132). Pre- and post-intervention assessments were carried out with three outcome measures: the Maslach Burnout Inventory-General Survey, the Five Facet Mindfulness Questionnaire, and the Death Attitude Profile-Revised. The data was analysed using paired sample t-tests. RESULTS: Significant reductions in exhaustion and death anxiety and significant increases in emotional awareness were observed for participants in the art-therapy-based supervision group. CONCLUSION: This study provides preliminary evidence that art-therapy-based supervision for end-of-life care workers can reduce burnout by enhancing emotional awareness and regulation, fostering meaning-making, and promoting reflection on death.
Authors: Hayley Pessin; Natalie Fenn; Ellen Hendriksen; Antonio P DeRosa; Allison Applebaum Journal: Curr Opin Support Palliat Care Date: 2015-03 Impact factor: 2.302
Authors: María Arantzamendi; Paula Sapeta; Nadia Collette; Ana Baños Sesma; María Teresa Torres Pérez-Solero; Fernando Iribarren Echarri; Carlos Centeno Journal: Palliat Med Rep Date: 2021-02-08