Examining the emotional healing process through bibliotherapy in adolescents with cancer: A qualitative descriptive study
Abstract
Purpose This study aimed to investigate how interactive bibliotherapy impacted the emotional healing process of adolescents with cancer, drawing upon the three-stage emotional healing process theory-identification, catharsis, and insight. Method A qualitative descriptive study was conducted on data from 14 adolescents, aged 10-19 years, diagnosed with or relapsing from leukemia or osteosarcoma within the past two years. Participants received two interactive bibliotherapy sessions using The Rabbit Listened and You Are Special. Data were collected through semistructured interviews and content analyzed. Results Analysis identified six themes in The Rabbit Listened and eight in You Are Special. Adolescents primarily engaged in identification, empathizing with protagonists and recalling personal experiences. They underwent catharsis, releasing negative emotions and fostering positivity. Insights emerged on companionship, listening, and others' criticism. Conclusions Our study validates the use of the three-stage emotional healing process in interdisciplinary bibliotherapy for understanding emotional changes in adolescents with cancer. It sheds light on their concerns and coping strategies. Healthcare practitioners can utilize interactive bibliotherapy based on this framework to initiate therapeutic communication with adolescent cancer patients and improve interventions and care.
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Bibliotherapy can be applied outside clinical environments.
“It facilitates self-reflection, emotional resonance, and cognitive restructuring, and can be applied outside clinical environments (12, 13).”
From Recent developments in bibliotherapy for adolescent depression (2025) · cites this paper as [13]
Bibliotherapy is a low-cost, flexible intervention using literature for emotional and psychological healing.
“In this context, bibliotherapy—a low-cost, flexible intervention using literature for emotional and psychological healing—offers distinct advantages.”
From Recent developments in bibliotherapy for adolescent depression (2025) · cites this paper as [13]
Bibliotherapy facilitates self-reflection, emotional resonance, and cognitive restructuring.
“It facilitates self-reflection, emotional resonance, and cognitive restructuring, and can be applied outside clinical environments (12, 13).”
From Recent developments in bibliotherapy for adolescent depression (2025) · cites this paper as [13]
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- Authors
- Yu, T.-Y., Wu, T.-J., Jou, S.-T., Lee, C.-Y., Sheih, C. S.-M., & Chen, C.-W.
- Affiliations
- Far Eastern Memorial Hospital (TW)
- National Yang Ming Chiao Tung University (TW)
- National Taiwan University (TW)
- Corresponding author
- Yu, Ting-Yen
- Wu, Tsai-Jung
- Jou, Shiann-Tarng
- Lee, Chih-Ying
- Sheih, Chen Su-may
- Chen, Chi-Wen
- Venue
- European Journal of Oncology Nursing
- Publisher
- Elsevier BV
- Published
- 2024-08
- Volume
- 71
- Pages
- 102653
- ISSN
- 1462-3889 (ISSN-L)
- OpenAlex
- W4400105601
- Cited by
- 11
- References
- 41
- Citations by year
- 2026: 4 · 2025: 6 · 2024: 1
- FWCI
- 31.23
- Type
- journal article
- Language
- en
- Open access
- closed
- Licence
- Locations
- European Journal of Oncology Nursing (publishedVersion)
- PubMed (publishedVersion)
- Topics
- Social Sciences › Arts and Humanities › Conservation › Art Therapy and Mental Health
- Health Sciences › Medicine › Pediatrics, Perinatology and Child Health › Childhood Cancer Survivors' Quality of Life
- Health Sciences › Medicine › Public Health, Environmental and Occupational Health › Palliative and Oncologic Care
- Keywords
- adolescents with cancer, leukemia, osteosarcoma, identification, catharsis, insight, coping strategies, therapeutic communication, children's literature
- MeSH terms
- Adaptation, Psychological, Adolescent, Bibliotherapy, Child, Emotions, Female, Humans, Male, Neoplasms, Osteosarcoma, Qualitative Research, Young Adult
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