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Sebri V, Durosini I, Pravettoni G. How to address the body after breast cancer? A proposal for a psychological intervention focused on body compassion. Front Psychol 2023; 13:1085837. [PMID: 36698594 PMCID: PMC9868453 DOI: 10.3389/fpsyg.2022.1085837] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/31/2022] [Accepted: 12/16/2022] [Indexed: 01/11/2023] Open
Affiliation(s)
- Valeria Sebri
- Applied Research Division for Cognitive and Psychological Science, IEO European Institute of Oncology IRCCS, Milan, Italy,*Correspondence: Valeria Sebri ✉
| | - Ilaria Durosini
- Applied Research Division for Cognitive and Psychological Science, IEO European Institute of Oncology IRCCS, Milan, Italy
| | - Gabriella Pravettoni
- Applied Research Division for Cognitive and Psychological Science, IEO European Institute of Oncology IRCCS, Milan, Italy,Department of Oncology and Hemato-Oncology, University of Milan, Milan, Italy
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Sebri V, Durosini I, Mazzoni D, Pravettoni G. The Body after Cancer: A Qualitative Study on Breast Cancer Survivors' Body Representation. INTERNATIONAL JOURNAL OF ENVIRONMENTAL RESEARCH AND PUBLIC HEALTH 2022; 19:ijerph191912515. [PMID: 36231811 PMCID: PMC9566341 DOI: 10.3390/ijerph191912515] [Citation(s) in RCA: 21] [Impact Index Per Article: 10.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/31/2022] [Revised: 09/27/2022] [Accepted: 09/28/2022] [Indexed: 05/16/2023]
Abstract
OBJECTIVE The relationship with the body is a relevant issue for breast cancer survivors. Oncological treatments damage their bodies due to scars, weight gain, and other side effects. Starting from the efficacy of psychological interventions for breast cancer survivors, a tailored psychological support program was provided to promote overall well-being after illness dealing with bodily signals and related emotions and thoughts. This study presents changes in the description of the relationship with their bodies as well as participants' emotions and thoughts before and after a psychological intervention. METHODS AND MEASURES Eighteen women answered questions related to their bodies before and after the psychological intervention. Results were analyzed in accordance with the procedure of the Word Association Analysis through the T-Lab software and the Qualitative Thematic Analysis. RESULTS Participants reported a great awareness of their bodies and the desire to take care of them daily. In particular, the body is now perceived as a helper to sustain breast cancer survivors in their everyday activities. CONCLUSION The words and the themes that characterized the participants' reports highlighted the impact of cancer diagnosis and oncological therapies on breast cancer survivors. The participation in the psychological intervention focused on self-compassion towards their body helps women to create an improved body perception.
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Affiliation(s)
- Valeria Sebri
- Department of Oncology and Hemato-Oncology, University of Milan, 20122 Milan, Italy
- Applied Research Division for Cognitive and Psychological Science, IEO, European Institute of Oncology IRCCS, 20141 Milan, Italy
- Correspondence:
| | - Ilaria Durosini
- Applied Research Division for Cognitive and Psychological Science, IEO, European Institute of Oncology IRCCS, 20141 Milan, Italy
| | - Davide Mazzoni
- Department of Oncology and Hemato-Oncology, University of Milan, 20122 Milan, Italy
| | - Gabriella Pravettoni
- Department of Oncology and Hemato-Oncology, University of Milan, 20122 Milan, Italy
- Applied Research Division for Cognitive and Psychological Science, IEO, European Institute of Oncology IRCCS, 20141 Milan, Italy
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Sebri V, Durosini I, Mazzoni D, Pravettoni G. Breast Cancer Survivors' Motivation to Participate in a Tailored Physical and Psychological Intervention: A Qualitative Thematic Analysis. Behav Sci (Basel) 2022; 12:bs12080271. [PMID: 36004842 PMCID: PMC9404874 DOI: 10.3390/bs12080271] [Citation(s) in RCA: 5] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/24/2022] [Revised: 08/02/2022] [Accepted: 08/05/2022] [Indexed: 11/16/2022] Open
Abstract
Purpose: Participants’ engagement in a project requires intrinsic motivations, which may evolve during the intervention thanks to lifestyle changes and positive challenges. Over the years, tailored programs based on physical activity and psychological sessions have been promoted to support the quality of life and well-being of breast cancer survivors. Personal expectations and needs are essential to predict participant adherence to the intervention as well as their possibility to reach positive outcomes. This study presents a preliminary understanding of the differences between motives and outcomes obtained after an integrated physical and psychological intervention conducted by professional trainers and psychologists. Methods: Forty-five women with a history of breast cancer answered some questions before and after the program, and the results were analyzed in accordance with the procedure of the thematic analysis. Results: Physical and psychological well-being are the two main themes that emerged from the participants. Interestingly, some differences emerged between the two data collections. Themes such as aesthetic evaluation interest and the need to learn psychological strategies disappeared at the end of the intervention; on the other hand, the need to make a distance from the illness experiences emerged as an obtained outcome. Conclusions: The discussion explains these differences and highlights the importance of considering breast cancer patients’ needs and motives to take part in interventions to promote quality of life.
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Affiliation(s)
- Valeria Sebri
- Department of Oncology and Hemato-Oncology, University of Milan, 20122 Milan, Italy
- Applied Research Division for Cognitive and Psychological Science, IEO, European Institute of Oncology IRCCS, 20122 Milan, Italy
- Correspondence:
| | - Ilaria Durosini
- Applied Research Division for Cognitive and Psychological Science, IEO, European Institute of Oncology IRCCS, 20122 Milan, Italy
| | - Davide Mazzoni
- Department of Oncology and Hemato-Oncology, University of Milan, 20122 Milan, Italy
| | - Gabriella Pravettoni
- Department of Oncology and Hemato-Oncology, University of Milan, 20122 Milan, Italy
- Applied Research Division for Cognitive and Psychological Science, IEO, European Institute of Oncology IRCCS, 20122 Milan, Italy
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McCullough KM, Lester JN. Beyond talk and text: Visuality and critical discursive psychology. QUALITATIVE RESEARCH IN PSYCHOLOGY 2022. [DOI: 10.1080/14780887.2022.2090468] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 10/17/2022]
Affiliation(s)
- Keiko M. McCullough
- Indiana University Bloomington, Department of Counseling and Educational Psychology, Bloomington, Indiana, USA
| | - Jessica Nina Lester
- Indiana University Bloomington, Department of Counseling and Educational Psychology, Bloomington, Indiana, USA
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Mohr V, Kleinherenbrink A, Varis P. "You Can't Ignore a Number This Big": Gender, Risk, and Responsibility in Online Advocacy for Women's Brain Health. QUALITATIVE HEALTH RESEARCH 2021; 31:677-690. [PMID: 33371785 PMCID: PMC7883008 DOI: 10.1177/1049732320981893] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 05/24/2023]
Abstract
Alzheimer's disease affects more women than men and has therefore been highlighted as a women's issue. However, there is much debate regarding the nature of this gap, with some studies pointing to sex/gender differences in longevity to explain the disparity. Against this background of empirical uncertainty, we ask how online women's brain health campaigns position women as specifically at risk of developing the disease. Using a multimodal approach, we examine how these platforms relate womanhood to risk, prevention, and responsibility. Four main themes emerged: risk quantification, risk management, risk dispersion, and the gendering of risk. We confirm previous studies that identified a dual discourse in which Alzheimer's is represented as both a catastrophic threat and as a fate that individuals can and must prevent. We find that both constructions are intensified on women-oriented platforms compared with nonspecific websites. Ethical implications of the individualization and gendering of risk and responsibility are discussed.
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Affiliation(s)
| | | | - Piia Varis
- Tilburg University, Tilburg, The Netherlands
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Sebri V, Triberti S, Pravettoni G. Injured Self: Autobiographical Memory, Self-Concept, and Mental Health Risk in Breast Cancer Survivors. Front Psychol 2020; 11:607514. [PMID: 33250833 PMCID: PMC7672015 DOI: 10.3389/fpsyg.2020.607514] [Citation(s) in RCA: 22] [Impact Index Per Article: 5.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/17/2020] [Accepted: 10/07/2020] [Indexed: 01/20/2023] Open
Affiliation(s)
- Valeria Sebri
- Department of Oncology and Hemato-Oncology, University of Milan, Milan, Italy.,Applied Research Division for Cognitive and Psychological Science, IEO European Institute of Oncology IRCCS, Milan, Italy
| | - Stefano Triberti
- Department of Oncology and Hemato-Oncology, University of Milan, Milan, Italy.,Applied Research Division for Cognitive and Psychological Science, IEO European Institute of Oncology IRCCS, Milan, Italy
| | - Gabriella Pravettoni
- Department of Oncology and Hemato-Oncology, University of Milan, Milan, Italy.,Applied Research Division for Cognitive and Psychological Science, IEO European Institute of Oncology IRCCS, Milan, Italy
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Saunders S, Hammond C, Thomas R. Exploring Gender-Related Experiences of Cancer Survivors Through Creative Arts: A Scoping Review. QUALITATIVE HEALTH RESEARCH 2019; 29:135-148. [PMID: 29732960 DOI: 10.1177/1049732318771870] [Citation(s) in RCA: 4] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 06/08/2023]
Abstract
Negative health consequences of cancer and its treatments are multifaceted. Research suggests numerous psychosocial benefits may be gained by cancer survivors who engage in arts-based practices. To grasp the breadth of this literature, we undertook a scoping review exploring the intersection between arts-based practices, gender, and cancer. Three databases were searched according to the following criteria: (a) participants older than 18 years, (b) use of arts-based practices, (c) explore cancer survivorship, and (d) gender-based analysis component. A total of 1,109 studies were identified and 11 met inclusion criteria. Themes extracted illustrate four transformative moments related to gender identities postcancer diagnosis: (a) fostering reflection after a cancer diagnosis, (b) constructing new narratives of gender postcancer, (c) navigating gender norms in search of support for new identities, and (d) interrogation of perceived gender norms. Findings demonstrate potential contributions of arts-based practices in shaping cancer-related gender identities. Future research should investigate these experiences across a wider population.
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Lawless M, Augoustinos M, LeCouteur A. "Your Brain Matters": Issues of Risk and Responsibility in Online Dementia Prevention Information. QUALITATIVE HEALTH RESEARCH 2018; 28:1539-1551. [PMID: 28974154 DOI: 10.1177/1049732317732962] [Citation(s) in RCA: 10] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 05/09/2023]
Abstract
The Internet has been argued to provide diverse sites for health communication and promotion, including issues that constitute major public health priorities such as the prevention of dementia. In this study, discursive psychology is used to examine how information about dementia risk prevention was presented on the websites of the most prominent English-language, nonprofit dementia organizations. We demonstrate how information about dementia risk and its prevention positions audiences as at-risk of developing dementia and constructs preventive behavior as a matter of individual responsibility. Websites represented participation in certain lifestyle practices as normative and emphasized audience members' personal responsibility for managing dementia risk. It is argued that such representations promote a moral identity in regard to brain health in which an ethic of self-responsibility is central. The implications of such identity construction in a context of increasing prevalence of dementia diagnosis are discussed.
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Affiliation(s)
- Michael Lawless
- 1 The University of Adelaide, Adelaide, South Australia, Australia
| | | | - Amanda LeCouteur
- 1 The University of Adelaide, Adelaide, South Australia, Australia
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Ma J, Stahl L. A multimodal critical discourse analysis of anti-vaccination information on Facebook. LIBRARY & INFORMATION SCIENCE RESEARCH 2017. [DOI: 10.1016/j.lisr.2017.11.005] [Citation(s) in RCA: 8] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.1] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 10/18/2022]
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McGannon KR, Berry TR, Rodgers WM, Spence JC. Breast cancer representations in Canadian news media: a critical discourse analysis of meanings and the implications for identity. QUALITATIVE RESEARCH IN PSYCHOLOGY 2016. [DOI: 10.1080/14780887.2016.1145774] [Citation(s) in RCA: 16] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 10/22/2022]
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