Joy without demands: Hospital clowns in the world of ailing children
نویسنده
چکیده
The aim of the present study was to achieve, using an affect theory approach (Tomkins, 1962; 1963; 1991), a deeper theoretical understanding of the psychological significance of hospital clowns' work in caring for ailing children viewed from a care-giver perspective. The methodological approach was qualitative and based on 20 interviews with healthcare staff: 3 men and 17 women. The result showed how the staff emphasized a psychological quality of care alongside the physical quality of care. The hospital clowns' "unexpected possibility" provided a safe area for recovery, for both the children and the staff. The theoretical interpretation showed the presence of the affects surprise/startle, interest/excitement, and enjoyment/joy as well as specifically how "joy without demands" often had a lingering effect in the form of vitality. Joy without demands is discussed in relation to psychological theory with emphasis on: a confirmation of the body's possibilities, a magical attachment, a chance to transcend boundaries, and a non-demanding situation.
منابع مشابه
Joyful and serious intentions in the work of hospital clowns: A meta-analysis based on a 7-year research project conducted in three parts
The present meta-analysis focuses on a 7-year research project entitled "Hospital clowns-in encounters with ailing children" and funded by the Swedish Childhood Cancer Foundation. The aim of the meta-analysis, which is based on the project's three studies, was to attempt to achieve a deeper psychological and more nuanced understanding of the unique encounters taking place between the hospital c...
متن کاملMagical attachment: Children in magical relations with hospital clowns
The aim of the present study was to achieve a theoretical understanding of several different-age children's experiences of magic relations with hospital clowns in the context of medical care, and to do so using psychological theory and a child perspective. The method used was qualitative and focused on nine children. The results showed that age was important to consider in better understanding ...
متن کاملClowns Benefit Children Hospitalized for Respiratory Pathologies
The study aims at evaluating health-generating function of humor therapy in a hospital ward hosting children suffering from respiratory pathologies. The main scope of this study is to investigate possible positive effects of the presence of a clown on both the clinical evolution of the on-going disease, and on some physiological and pain parameters. Forty-three children with respiratory patholo...
متن کاملMedical Clowns and Cortisol levels in Children Undergoing Venipuncture in the Emergency Department: A Pilot Study.
BACKGROUND Medical clowns are increasingly used for diminishing pain and anxiety during painful procedures being performed on children in the hospital setting. Cortisol levels rise as a response to emotional distress. OBJECTIVES To investigate whether medical clown-assisted interventions to reduce child's distress during venipuncture have an effect on cortisol levels. METHODS During a 1 yea...
متن کاملEffect of interaction with clowns on vital signs and non-verbal communication of hospitalized children
OBJECTIVE Compare the non-verbal communication of children before and during interaction with clowns and compare their vital signs before and after this interaction. METHODS Uncontrolled, intervention, cross-sectional, quantitative study with children admitted to a public university hospital. The intervention was performed by medical students dressed as clowns and included magic tricks, juggl...
متن کامل