Writing to heal : an evaluation of a novel narrative e-writing intervention (NeW-I) for parents of children with chronic life-threatening illnesses

• Main Author: Chia, Jasmine Jia Min
• Other Authors: Ho Hau Yan Andy
• Format: Final Year Project
• Language: English
• Published: Nanyang Technological University 2020
• Subjects: Social sciences::Psychology
• Online Access: https://hdl.handle.net/10356/138211
• Institution: Nanyang Technological University

This study critically evaluates the effects of a novel narrative e-writing intervention (NeW-I) on the psychosocial well-being of Singapore-based parents of children with chronic life- threatening illnesses. A mixed-method design was employed. Quantitative analysis, using Wilcoxon Signed Rank test, compared the quality of life, spiritual well-being, hope, severity of depressive symptoms, caregiver burden, perceived social support and grief of parents before the implementation of intervention, immediately after intervention and one month following the intervention. The findings revealed that immediately after completing the intervention, participants experienced improved quality of life and spiritual well-being from baseline measurements. For qualitative analysis, a constructivism-interpretivism paradigm was employed. Semi-structured closure call interviews were conducted with 5 parents whose children have chronic life-threatening illnesses. Thematic analysis revealed 4 strengths of NeW-I: (1) emotional solace, (2) avant-garde therapy experience, (3) positive meaning- making outlet, (4) attunement to need for social support and 2 areas for improvement: (1) time limit impediment, (2) inadequate therapy duration. Based on these findings, the advantages of the NeW-I programme and suggestions for improvement were highlighted.