Bibliotherapy as a recreational therapy intervention in pediatric oncology

Authors

  • Dawn DeVries, DHA, DFRT, CTRS
  • Brenna Gallagher, CTRS
  • Kaitlin Harbin, CTRS
  • Jenny Schout, CTRS
  • Claire Schafer, CTRS, SKLD
  • Victoria TerAvest, CTRS

DOI:

https://doi.org/10.5055/ajrt.2019.0193

Keywords:

bibliotherapy, oncology, pediatric, recreational therapist, coping, anxiety

Abstract

Objective: To examine the literature, facilitate understanding of the intervention and contribute to the evidence-based practice on the use of bibliotherapy with children who have cancer to facilitate coping skills for anxiety.

Methods: A literature review was conducted to examine the practice of bibliotherapy when used with children who have cancer and implications for recreational therapy practice were developed.

Results: While the research on bibliotherapy is limited in recreational therapy literature, there is evidence that it can reduce anxiety and facilitate coping skills for children living with cancer.

Author Biographies

Dawn DeVries, DHA, DFRT, CTRS

Recreational Therapy program, College of Health Professions, Grand Valley State University, Grand Rapids, Michigan

Brenna Gallagher, CTRS

Recreation Therapy, Transitions Rehabilitation Services, Grand Rapids, Michigan

Kaitlin Harbin, CTRS

Recreation Therapy, Rainbow Rehabilitation Center, Ann Arbor, Michigan

Jenny Schout, CTRS

Activity Therapy, Pine Rest Christian Psychiatric Hospital, Grand Rapids, Michigan

Claire Schafer, CTRS, SKLD

Activity Department, Medical Residence of Ionia, Ionia, Michigan

Victoria TerAvest, CTRS

Activity Therapy, Forest View Psychiatric Hospital, Grand Rapids, Michigan

References

Dapier J: Prescriptions for joy: Librarians, collections, and bibliotherapy in pediatric hospital settings. Public Libr. 2016; 55(4): 24-27.

Schneider NM, Peterson M, Gathercoal KA, et al.: The effect of bibliotherapy on anxiety in children with cancer. Int J Child Health Hum Dev. 2013; 6(3): 337-345.

Tielsch-Goddard A: Children’s books for use in bibliotherapy. J Pediatr Health Care. 2011; 25: 57-61.

Robinson S, Hughes K, Manning K: Children’s books: A resource for children’s nursing care. Paediatr Nurs. 2002; 14(5): 26-31.

Mayo Clinic: Cancer. Available at https://www.mayoclinic.org/diseases-conditions/cancer/symptoms-causes/syc-20370588. Accessed November 20, 2018.

Gupta RC: Childhood cancer, 2014. Available at https://kidshealth.org/en/parents/cancer.html?WT.ac=ctg#catcancer. Accessed November 20, 2018.

National Cancer Institute: NCI dictionary of cancer terms—Childhood cancer. Available at https://www.cancer.gov/publications/dictionaries/cancer-terms/def/childhoodcancer. Accessed October 25, 2018.

American Cancer Society: Finding cancer in children. Available at https://www.cancer.org/cancer/cancer-inchildren/finding-childhood-cancers-early.html. Accessed October 25, 2018.

American Cancer Society: Treating children with cancer, 2016. Available at https://www.cancer.org/cancer/cancer-inchildren/how-are-childhood-cancers-treated.html. Accessed October 25, 2018.

Lewandowska M: Social relations and pediatric cancer: The struggles of adolescent cancer patients. Available at https://steinhardt.nyu.edu/appsych/opus/issues/2013/fall/lewandowska. Accessed October 25, 2018.

Compas BE, Desjardins L, Vannatta K, et al.: Children and adolescents coping with cancer: Self- and parent reports of coping and anxiety/depression. Health Psychol. 2014; 33(8): 853-861.

Hildenbrand AK, Clawson KJ, Alderfer MA, et al.: Coping with pediatric cancer. J Pediatr Oncol Nurs. 2011; 28(6): 344-354.

Margherita G, Martino ML, Recano F, et al.: Invented fairy tales in groups with onco-hematological children. Child Care Health Dev. 2013; 40(3): 1-16.

Anglin C: Providing pediatric psychosocial support through patient library services in an outpatient hematology/ oncology clinic. Prim Psychiatry. 2008; 15(7): 78-83.

Marcus J: Psychosocial issues in pediatric oncology. Ochsner J. 2012; 12(3): 211-215.

Wonders & Worries: Child developmental stages, 2018. Available at https://www.wondersandworries.org/for-parents/child-developmental-stages/. Accessed November 1, 2018.

Forsner M, Jansson L, Sorlie V: The experience of being ill as narrated by hospitalized children aged 7-10 years with short-term illness. J Child Health Care. 2005; 9(2): 153-165.

Ander M, Wikman A, Ljotsson B, et al.: Guided internet-administered self-help to reduce symptoms of anxiety and depression among adolescents and young adults diagnosed with cancer during adolescence (U-CARE: YoungCan): A study protocol for a feasibility study. BMJ Open. 2017; 7: e013906.

National Cancer Institute: Adjustment to cancer: Anxiety and distress, 2018. Available at https://www.cancer.gov/about-cancer/coping/feelings/anxiety-distress-pdq. Accessed October 24, 2018.

Adamo SMG, Serpieri SA, De Falco R, et al.: Tom Thumb in hospital: The fairy tale workshop in a paediatric oncology and haematology ward. Psychodyn Pract. 2008; 14(3): 263-280.

Jake L: Bibliotherapy applications for recreation therapy. Available at http://www.recreationtherapy.com/articles/bibliotherapy.htm. Accessed September 15, 2018.

Mendel MR, Harris J, Carson N: Bringing bibliotherapy for children to clinical practice. J Am Acad Child Psychol. 2016; 55(7): 535-537.

Gladding ST, Gladding C: The ABCs of bibliotherapy for schools counselors. Sch Couns. 1991; 39(1): 7-13.

Heath MA, Sheen D, Leavy D, et al.: Bibliotherapy: A resource to facilitate emotional healing and growth. Sch Psychol Int. 2005; 26(5): 563-580.

Lucas CV, Soares L: Bibliotherapy: A tool to promote children’s psychological well-being. J Poet Ther. 2013; 26(3): 137-147.

Cook KE, Earles-Vollrath T, Ganz JB: Bibliotherapy. Interv Sch Clin. 2006; 42(2): 91-100.

Schlenther E: Using reading therapy with children. Health Libr Rev. 1999; 16: 29-37.

Bouchard S, Gervais J, Gagnier N, et al.: Evaluation of a primary prevention program for anxiety disorders using story books with children aged 9-12 years. J Prim Prev. 2003; 34: 345-358.

American Therapeutic Recreation Association Website: About ATRA. Available at https://www.atra-online.com/what/FAQ. Accessed November 8, 2018.

Stumbo, NJ: Systematic reviews part I: How to conduct systematic reviews for evidence based practice. Ann Ther Recreat. 2003; 12: 29-45.

Hershey MK, Boris, JM, Blodgea, R: Oncology… Stupology… I Want to Go Home. Cochranville, PA: Butterfly Press, 1999.

Sposito AMP, Silva-Rodrigues FM, de Cassia Sparapani V, et al.: Coping strategies used by hospitalized children with cancer undergoing chemotherapy. J Nurs Scholarsh. 2015; 47(2): 143-151.

Montgomery P, Maunders K: The effectiveness of creative bibliotherapy for internalizing, externalizing, and prosocial behaviors in children: A systematic review. Child Youth Serv Rev. 2015; 55: 37-47.

Jack SJ, Ronan KR: Bibliotherapy practice and research. Sch Psychol Int. 2008; 29(2): 161-182.

Pardeck JT: Bibliotherapy and cancer patients. Fam Ther. 1992; 19(3): 223-232.

American Cancer Society: Key statistics for childhood cancers. Available at https://www.cancer.org/cancer/cancer-in-children/key-statistics.html. Accessed November 15, 2018.

Austin DR: Therapeutic Recreation Processes and Techniques: Evidence-Based Recreational Therapy. 8th ed. Champaign, IL: Sagamore/Venture Publishing, 2018.

Porter HR, ed.: Recreational Therapy Basics, Techniques and Interventions. Enumclaw, WA: Idyll Arbor, 2015.

DeVries D, Brennan Z, Lankin M, et al.: Healing with books: A literature review of bibliotherapy used with children and youth who have experienced trauma. Ther Recreat J. 2017; 51(1): 48-74.

DeVries D, Sunden S: Bibliotherapy with children who have a sibling with a disability. J Poet Ther. 2019; 32(3): 135-155.

International Federation for Biblio/Poetry Therapy: Summary of training requirements, 2019. Available at https://ifbpt.org/obtaining-a-credential/getting-trained/. Accessed May 20, 2019.

National Council for Therapeutic Recreation Certification: CTRS professional profile, 2014. Available at https://nctrc.org/wp-content/uploads/2015/02/MM2-ctrsprofessional-profile-brochure.pdf. Accessed May 20, 2019.

Published

07/01/2019

How to Cite

DeVries, DHA, DFRT, CTRS, D., Gallagher, CTRS, B., Harbin, CTRS, K., Schout, CTRS, J., Schafer, CTRS, SKLD, C., & TerAvest, CTRS, V. (2019). Bibliotherapy as a recreational therapy intervention in pediatric oncology. American Journal of Recreation Therapy, 18(3), 25–36. https://doi.org/10.5055/ajrt.2019.0193

Issue

Section

Articles