Relationship between mindfulness, meaning in life and post-traumatic growth among Nigerian cancer patients

Understanding the psychosocial factors that predict recovery and promote growth from trauma is critical to effective management of oncology patients. Although previous studies have shown that mindfulness and meaning in life could be predictors of post-traumatic growth (PTG), no study to date has explored the combined role of mindfulness and meaning in life in the development of PTG among cancer patients. Using a cross-sectional design, data were collected from 957 cancer patients (46.8% male, 53.2% female) who completed relevant self-report measures. Results showed that the presence of meaning in life mediated the relationship between mindfulness and PTG. However, the mediation effect of search for meaning in life was not significant. These findings indicate that the presence of meaning in life is an essential mechanism of mindfulness in facilitating PTG. Therefore, psychosocial interventions geared towards promoting PTG should consider mindfulness as a potential effective component in improving cancer patients' ability to find meaning in life and possibly promote recovery.

Kanser Tanısı almış Kişilere Uygulanan Anlam Temelli Müdahale Programları: Sistematik bir Derleme

Son yıllarda kanser tanısı almış kişilerin yalnızca yaşadıkları olumsuz psikolojik semptomları azaltmayı değil, aynı zamanda kişilerin yaşamdaki anlam kaynaklarını ve değerleri ile temasa geçerek yaşamlarını zenginleştirmeyi amaçlayan çeşitli anlam temelli müdahale geliştirilmiştir. Mevcut çalışmanın amacı kanser tanısı alan kişilerde doğrudan yaşamda anlam ve amaç duygularını geliştirmeye odaklanan müdahalelerin özelliklerini ve sonuçlarını sistematik olarak incelemektir. Bu kapsamda PsychINFO, MEDLINE, CINAHL Complete, PubMed, Scopus ve Web of Science olmak üzere toplamda altı elektronik veri tabanı kullanılarak sistematik bir literatür taraması yapılmıştır. 2000-2022 yılları arasında yapılan tarama sonucunda kanser tanısı almış kişiler için doğrudan anlam yaratmaya ve yaşamda anlam duygusuna odaklanan 14 farklı müdahale programını içeren 20 çalışmaya ulaşılmıştır. Derlemede yer alan araştırmaların örneklemini çoğunlukla kadın, orta yaş ve üzeri olan ve ileri evre kanser tanısı alan kişiler oluşturmuştur. Meme ve akciğer kanseri bu derlemedeki araştırmalarda en çok yer alan kanser türüdür. Derlemeye dâhil edilen çalışmaların çoğunluğunun kuramsal olarak Frankl’ın çalışmalarından etkilendiği ve psikoterapide varoluşsal yaklaşımı benimsedikleri görülmektedir. Anlam odaklı müdahale programlarının etkileri değerlendirildiğinde ise yapılan müdahalelerin anlam duygusunu, yaşam kalitesini ve spiritüel iyi oluş düzeylerini iyileştirmede büyük oranda etkili olduğu görülmektedir. Ayrıca anksiyete, depresyon, duygusal sıkıntı, iyimserlik ve umutsuzluk düzeyleri üzerinde görece olumlu etkileri olduğu düşünülmektedir. Bu kapsamda anlam odaklı müdahalelerinin kanser tanısı almış kişilerin hem anlam ve varoluşla ilgili sorularını hem de duygusal sıkıntılarını ele almada umut verici bir yaklaşım olduğu görülmektedir. Diğer taraftan anlam odaklı müdahalelere ilişkin daha kapsamlı çıkarımlar yapabilmek için daha titiz bir araştırma metodolojisi kullanan yeni çalışmalara ihtiyaç vardır.

Meaning in life, meaning-making and posttraumatic growth in cancer patients: Systematic review and meta-analysis

Introduction

The purpose of this systematic review and meta-analysis is to assess the association between meaning in life (MiL), meaning-making and posttraumatic growth (PTG) in the context of cancer.

Methods

A systematic search was conducted in eighteen electronic databases. The screening and selection process followed the PRISMA guidelines. For the purpose of the meta-analysis, the correlation coefficients between meaning in life and posttraumatic growth were extracted from the included studies. The effect size (r) was calculated using the restricted maximum-likelihood estimator, a random-effects model. Heterogeneity was assessed through the Q statistic, I² index and forest plot, while publication bias was analyzed with the use of the funnel plot and Egger's test.

Results

889 records were considered according to the inclusion criteria. A total of nine articles, published between 2006 and 2021, were included in the systematic review. More than half were published in the last five years. The sample was mostly diagnosed with breast cancer. The meta-analysis included five articles (N = 844) and the results indicate a significant moderate correlation between meaning in life and posttraumatic growth (r = 0.43, 95% IC [0.36, 0.50]).

Discussion

In conclusion, there is a clear association between meaning in life and posttraumatic growth in cancer patients. Future research should explore this relationship further, in order to better assist and guide meaning centered interventions that can potentiate a positive adjustment and possibly growth from the cancer experience.

Transition from disease to survival: accounts of adolescents who have experienced cancer

OBJECTIVE

to understand the transition from disease to survival of adolescents who had experienced cancer.

METHOD

qualitative study, developed with the theoretical framework of symbolic interactionism, conducted with 14 adolescent cancer survivors treated at an outpatient clinic after cancer therapy, in the city of São Paulo. Individual in-depth interviews were performed and recorded, and the data were analyzed and interpreted using the methodological framework of the thematic analysis.

RESULTS

four themes were identified: going back to school, being able to live like other adolescents, living in the present moment, and seeking a purpose in life.

CONCLUSION

the transition from disease to cancer survival was full of insecurities, difficulties, and challenges. After the disease, survivors acquire new values and new priorities in life, a reconstruction of the self. They also feel thankful to God and the people who were part of their treatment journey.

HIGHLIGHTS

(1) Cancer survivors need long-term follow-up.(2) Health professionals are not prepared to support survivors.(3) Adolescents see survival as a new opportunity and feel gratitude.(4) Adolescents seek meaning in their survival.(5) Support planning is important to help in the transition period.

Meaning Making for Psychological Adjustment and Quality of Life in Older Long-Term Breast Cancer Survivors

Objectives: This study aims to explore in depth the meaning and meaning discrepancies among older Norwegian breast cancer survivors in light of the meaning making model by Park (2013).

Design: We utilized a qualitative design collecting data using semi-structured interviews of 23 elderly breast cancer survivors 7–8 years after treatment. The interviews followed an interview guide structured along three main themes: “everyday life activities,” “follow-up-care experiences” and “health status and QoL.”

Results: Several health problems were reported by the women in the aftermaths of the disease, such as sleeping problems, pain, and fatigue—including cognitive and emotional impairments. Meaning discrepancies were concentrated on six main themes: shifting perspectives and priorities, growing sense of autonomy, widening the limits of normality, dissociating oneself from the disease, embracing alternative health services, and feeling lucky. The women engaged in a wide range of coping techniques as efforts to change global meaning, and to develop a more positive view on the cancer experience. Common coping efforts across the six main themes were social comparison, denial, positive reappraisal, problem-focused coping, and revaluing ordinary events.

Conclusion: Many cancer patients report on unmet needs for help with their meaning making, and the facilitation of meaning making processes is rarely included in the follow-up care of cancer survivors. The findings of the present study may help health care professionals provide care for women who have experienced breast cancer. The concrete knowledge of common coping efforts in the meaning making process may contribute to the development of future interventions and for gaining a deeper understanding for older survivors of breast cancer.

Disease Acceptance and Eudemonic Well-Being Among Adults With Physical Disabilities: The Mediator Effect of Meaning in Life

The acceptance of disability is recognized as one of the most frequently mentioned factors that plays a particularly significant role in subjective well-being. However, so far, only a very small amount of research has been undertaken to clarify how and why acceptance of illness relates to eudemonic well-being. Hence, comprehension of the direct and indirect effects underlying this relationship seems essential for interventions that increase the recovery of people with impairments and enhance their quality of life. The current research was aimed at investigating the association between acceptance of illness, meaning in life, and eudemonic well-being, as well as the possible mediatory effect of meaning in life on the relationship between acceptance of illness and well-being. The sample consisted of 102 participants (71% women) aged between 20 and 64 years. The respondents had a range of different impairments (e.g., cerebral palsy, neurological disorders, spinal muscular atrophy, and sight defects). The Acceptance of Illness Scale, the Meaning in Life Questionnaire, and the Ryff Scales of Psychological Well-Being were used. It was confirmed that acceptance of illness correlated positively and significantly with the presence of meaning, self-acceptance, positive relations, environmental mastery, personal growth, general well-being, cohesion, flexibility, communication, and family satisfaction. The presence of meaning mediated the relationship between acceptance of illness and general well-being with its four other dimensions: self-acceptance, environmental mastery, purpose in life, and personal growth. Conversely, the search for meaning did not have any mediatory effect on this relationship.