SURVEY 1 (FOR ORIGINAL SURVEY CLICK HERE)
This survey aimed to find out the prognosis and causes of Entomophobia, and identity which insect’s people were most scared of. It allowed Entomophobia sufferers to participate in a follow up survey, focusing more closely on the phobia and their personal experiences.
Q3. ON A SCALE OF 1-10, WHERE 1 IS NOT AT ALL SCARED AND 10 IS PETRIFIED, HOW SCARED OF INSECTS ARE YOU?
THIS CAN BE SPECCIFIC TO ONE TYPE OF INSECT
57% of participants marked their fear of insects as 5 or above implying that the prognosis of Entomophobia is more prevalent than the secondary research initially suggested.
Q4. WHAT INSECT(S) ARE YOU SCARED OF?
IF MORE THAN ONE, PLEASE LIST IN ORDER WITH THE FIRST BEING THE INECT YOU ARE MOST SCARED OF AND THE LAST BEING THE INSECT YOU ARE LEAST SCARED OF.
Q5. WHAT INSECT(S) ARE YOU SCARED OF?
IF MORE THAN ONE, PLEASE LIST IN ORDER WITH THE FIRST BEING THE INECT YOU ARE MOST SCARED OF AND THE LAST BEING THE INSECT YOU ARE LEAST SCARED OF.
Many of the answers are not classified as insects, demonstrating a lack of general knowledge about insects. This suggests the need to educate a broader spectrum of people, beyond sufferers of Entomophobia. This deficiency in understanding could directly impact on the cause of Entomophobia, reinforcing discussions in the secondary research.
Q6. DO YOU KNOW WHAT INITIALLY CAUSED YOUR FEAR OF THE INSECT(S) LISTED IN QUESTION 4?
IF SO, PLEASE STATE
The results support the causes previously discussed. As 31% of participants cannot remember what initially caused their fear, the possible roots could stem from childhood with limited recall.
41% of participants said they could not remember their first experience, promoting the irrationality of Entomophobia and its ability to be unlearned. For those that could remember, 100% of the answers linked to a negative experience suggesting experience is the leading course of Entomophobia, over genetics and learned behaviour. The most popular answer was insects being inside the house, strengthening the notion that the home-environment connotes safety and comfort and that infringement of this can fuel anxiety or fear. This supports the use of Maggie’s Centres and how undisturbed familiarity can enhance a calming environment.
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A follow up survey that aimed to find out about the symptoms, treatment processes/copying strategies and how environmental stimuli could affect Entomophobia sufferers.
SURVEY 2 (FOR ORIGINAL SURVEY CLICK HERE)
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Q3. WHAT SYMPTOMS DO YOU HAVE WHEN YOU SEE OR ARE ABOUT TO COME INTO CONTACT WITH THE INSECT(S) YOU ARE AFRAID OF?
TICK ALL ANSWERS THAT APPLY
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37% of participants said they focus on their breathing, supporting the notion that calming techniques can be used to help treat Entomophobia. 50% of participants stated they would move away from/get rid of the insect, and 1/3 of those participants stated they would kill it. This suggests sufferers are unable to address the experienced anxiety without removing the stimuli, which could be overcome by increased awareness of coping strategies and insects themselves, as considered in the secondary research.
Q5. DO YOU SEE A THERAPIST ABOUT YOUR PHOBIA OF INSECTS?
IF YES, WHAT ENCOURAGED YOU TO DO SO?
IF NO, WHY?
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100% of participants do not see a therapist, questioning the validity of treating Entomophobia with professional help. Supported by survey 3, only 25% of therapists recorded treating Entomophobia. Although psychological therapies have proved successful, it appears that education would be more appealing and accessible for sufferers due to the type of phobia Entomophobia is.
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Q6. 'THE ENVIRONMENT AND SPACES THAT I AM IN HAVE AN IMPACT ON THE SEVERITY OF MY FEAR OF INSECTS'
PLEASE TICK ONE BOX
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Q8. WHICH OF THE FOLLOWING WOULD MAKE YOUR FEAR OF INSECTS BETTER OR MORE BEARABLE?
TICK ALL ANSWERS THAT APPLY
The answers for the above two questions show a positive correlation with the design of Maggie’s Centres and how particular spatial qualities can be adopted to help lessen anxiety and subsequently Entomophobia.
Q9. DO YOU THINK LEARNING MORE ABOUT INSECTS (SUCH AS THEIR ANATOMY, ENVIRONMENTAL IMPACTS OR WHY THEY BEHAVE IN SPECIFIC WAYS) COULD POSITIVELY AFFECT YOUR FEAR OF INSECTS?
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A survey aimed at counsellors treating phobia sufferers, exploring successful treatment processes, recovery/relapse and the impact of the environment on this.
SURVEY 3 (FOR ORIGINAL SURVEY CLICK HERE)
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67% proposed CBT for treating Entomophobia presenting it’s effectiveness, supported by NHS strategies.
While other therapies were suggested, they were only recognised by less than 25% of the therapists questioned. These were also not apparent through secondary sources, querying their validity and demonstrating the significance of individual perception.
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Q7. DOES THE ENVIRONMENT IN WHICH THE THERAPY TAKES PLACE AFFECT THE EFFECTIVENESS OF THE TREATMENT?
IF YES, HOW?
Similar trends in the therapist’s answers included the use of the words; safe, comfortable and confidential showing parallels to the therapy spaces Maggie’s Centre’s offer. 1/3 of participants stated that the relationship between the therapist and client is essential to the success of treatment, suggesting the design of a space has a limited affect.
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Q8. ARE THERE COPING AND SELF TREATMENT STRATEGIES THAT PATIENTS CAN USE TO CONTROL OR CURE THEIR PHOBIA OF INSECTS?
IF SO, WHAT?
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The variety of successful self-treatment strategies, questions whether professional therapy is needed and it’s practicalities to treating Entomophobia
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Q10. WHAT CAN CAUSE A PATIENT TO RELAPSE OR FOR THE PHOBIA TO REOCCUR?
CAN PHOBIAS BE PREVENTED IN THE FIRST PLACE?
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Due to the vast difference in opinions, it is inconclusive as to whether Entomophobia can be prevented. Without scientific reasoning, it is difficult to analyse.
INTERVIEWS (FOR ORIGINAL INTERVIEWS CLICK HERE)
Trends collected from interviewing three therapists (T1, T2, T3) about their experience in treating phobias.
Q1. DO YOU THINK THE ENVIRONMENT OR SPACE IN WHICH YOU TREAT YOUR PATIENTS HAS AN EFFECT ON HOW SUCCESSFUL THE TREATMENT IS? PLEASE EXAMPLE
PLEASE EXPLAIN
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Q2. CAN YOU DESCRIBE THE ENVRIONMENT IN WHICH YOU CURRENTLY TREAT YOUR PATIENTS?
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Q3. WHAT DO YOU THINK WORKS WELL ABOUT THE SPACE?
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Q4. HAVE YOU HAD ANY NEGATIVE EXPERIENCES IN YOUR CURRENT SPACE?
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Q5. WHAT DO YOU THINK COULD BE CHANGED ABOUT YOUR CURRENT SPACE TO MAKE IT MORE SUCCESSFUL?
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Q6. ARE THERE PARTICULAR ENVIRONMENTAL QUALITIES (SUCH AS LIGHTING, ROOM LAYOUT ETC.) THAT CAN NEGATIVELY IMAPCT TREATMENT OR MAKE A FEAR/ANXIETY WORSE?
Q7. HAVE YOU WORKED IN ANY OTHER TYPES OF ENVIRONMENTS TO TREAT PATIENTS WITH FEARS OR ANXIETIES? (E.G. HOME, SCHOOLS, HOSPITALS, OUTSIDE ETC.)
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Q8. WHAT ARE THE MOST SUCCESSFUL TREATMENTS FOR PEOPLE WHO SUFFER WITH PHOBIAS OR ANXIETY?
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Q9. DO YOU GIVE YOUR CLIENTS HOMEWORK OR THINGS THEY CAN GO AWAY AND DO ON THEIR OWN?
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Q10. DO YOU NEED SPECIFIC EQUIPMENT FOR YOUR TREATMENT PROCESSES?
Q11. WHAT IS YOUR OPINION ON CLIENTS TREATING THEMSELVES THROUGH SELF-TREATMENT STRATEGIES AND COPING TECHNIQUES?
DO YOU THINK IT WORKS? DO YOU THINK IT’S EFFECTIVE?
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Q12. WHAT IS YOUR OPINION ON TREATING PEOPLE IN A CLINICAL ENVIRONMENT VS. THE HOME ENVIRONMENT?
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Q13. DO YOU THINK EDUCATION PLAYS AN IMPORTANT ROLE IN PEOPLE OVERCOMING THEIR PHOBIAS, FEARS AND ANXIETIES?
The interviewees presented contradictory opinion on the effectiveness of clinical settings, but all disclosed concerns for a balance between a professional and personal environment. Similarities were evident for the desired spatial qualities and atmospheric requirements, despite T1 pursuing an office-based setting and T2 and T3 working from home. This demonstrates the successful application of particular strategies (seen in question 2) to create comfort and warmth in a range of different environments. It can be established that the therapists sought the operation of a professional practice/clinical setting, but the environmental qualities of a home. This balance is achieved by the Maggie’s Centres and suggests the importance of a hybrid approach to creating an effective environment to treat Entomophobia.
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COMPARISONS
There are parallels between the design approaches of a typical therapist and the Maggie’s Centres, supporting the success of these qualities in a healing environment. However, due to the Maggie’s Centres being a large organisation, they have operational capabilities that typical therapists are unable to pursue. Whilst it would be impractical to provide a centre purely for Entomophobia sufferers (due to few people seeking professional help), it suggests that typical therapists are limited in their approach. Working with other sporting or educational groups to provide additional support may compliment the therapy processes and provide a rounded treatment strategy, similar to Maggie’s Centres.
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