Izvorni znanstveni članak
https://doi.org/10.20471/LO.2025.53.02-03.12
Art therapy and its influence on body image in women facing breast cancer
Emilia Jug
orcid.org/0009-0003-5047-1871
; Centre for Rehabilitation Zagreb, Zageb, Croatia
Damir Miholić
orcid.org/0009-0009-1350-9555
; Department of Motor Disorders, Chronic Diseases, and Art Therapies, Faculty of Education and Rehabilitation Sciences, University of Zagreb, Zagreb, Croatia
*
Renata Martinec
orcid.org/0000-0003-0820-7850
; Department of Motor Disorders, Chronic Diseases, and Art Therapies, Faculty of Education and Rehabilitation Sciences, University of Zagreb, Zagreb, Croatia
Renata Pinjatela
orcid.org/0000-0002-5601-1425
; Department of Motor Disorders, Chronic Diseases, and Art Therapies, Faculty of Education and Rehabilitation Sciences, University of Zagreb, Zagreb, Croatia
* Dopisni autor.
Sažetak
Introduction: Breast cancer has both physical and psychosocial consequences. Therefore, within holistic rehabilitation approaches, the implementation of various therapeutic programmes – including those integrating complementary and expressive art-therapies – is recommended. Art therapy is increasingly recognised as a potentially beneficial form of psychological support that can contribute to emotional empowerment and improved quality of life; however, its effects in this population remain insufficiently explored.
Objectives: The study aimed to examine the impact of art therapy on body image in relation to quality of life and emotional well-being in women with breast cancer and in women without breast cancer who are exposed to challenges related to breast cancer within their immediate social network.
Methods: The study was conducted on a sample of 20 women. The therapy programme included visual art expression, music, literary texts, guided imagery, aromatherapy, and reflexology. Data were collected using a socio-demographic questionnaire, the Body Image Quality of Life Inventory (BIQLI) and a visual analogue self-assessment scale (VAS) to evaluate emotional well-being.
Result: Participants with breast cancer showed statistically significant improvements on the BIQLI variable measuring self-confidence and on the VAS, reflecting a statistically significant increase in emotional well-being after each of the six therapy sessions. Although no statistically significant differences were found between pre- and post-intervention scores on most evaluated variables, positive trends in the results suggest that art therapy may have a beneficial effect on the body experience, quality of life and emotional regulation.
Conclusion: Further research using larger samples, controlled study designs, and longitudinal follow-ups is recommended to deepen understanding of art therapy’s effects and clarify the factors that contribute to its more beneficial outcomes.
Ključne riječi
art therapy; breast cancer; body image; quality of life; emotional well-being
Hrčak ID:
344597
URI
Datum izdavanja:
17.2.2026.
Posjeta: 418 *