The Use of Bibliotherapy in Revealing and Addressing the Spiritual Needs of Cancer Patients

• Main Authors: Ágnes Bálint, Judit Magyari
• Format: Article
• Language: English
• Published: MDPI AG 2020-03-01
• Series: Religions
• Subjects: spiritual needs; nonterminal cancer patients; interactive bibliotherapy; creative bibliotherapy; group psychotherapy
• Online Access: https://www.mdpi.com/2077-1444/11/3/128

Assessing and addressing spiritual needs is a key factor in the quality of life and overall wellbeing of cancer patients. However, the evolution and diversification of assessment tools has not automatically been followed by their successful implementation; thus, addressing unmet needs continues to be a concern. In this paper, we examine the place of bibliotherapy (also called reading therapy or poetry therapy) as a group intervention in the oncological setting in revealing spiritual needs. We show that it represents not only a useful intervention but may also provide instant relief and reduce spiritual suffering. Bibliotherapy understood and practiced as a subtle balance of texts and group processes alleviates cognitive and emotional symptoms of a spiritual concern and facilitates finding meaning in life in general and illness in particular. As an intervention, it is effective, affordable and attractive; moreover, it equips patients receiving treatment and rehabilitation with the lifelong skill of reflective reading. Bibliotherapy is easily tailored to almost any needs and promotes self-expression, which provides spiritual fulfillment in itself.