E J Taylor1. 1. University of Southern California, Los Angeles, USA. ejtaylor@hsc.usc.edu
Abstract
PURPOSE/ OBJECTIVES: To describe the process of how women with breast cancer attribute positive meaning to their illness. DESIGN: Descriptive, qualitative. SETTING: Major metropolitan area in the southwestern United States. SAMPLE: Twenty-four women diagnosed with breast cancer within the past two years. METHODS: Data collected during semistructured interviews were coded and analyzed using Grounded Theory techniques. MAIN RESEARCH VARIABLES: Process and outcomes of ascribing positive meanings to cancer. FINDINGS: The author observed a basic social-psychospiritual process of transforming personal tragedy. This process involved phases labeled as encountering darkness, converting darkness, encountering light, and reflecting light. CONCLUSIONS: Varying degrees of positive meaning can be attributed to breast cancer. Encountering the darkness and moving through the other phases are normal and adaptive. IMPLICATIONS FOR NURSING PRACTICE: Recognizing that positive meanings are independent of questions of causality but that encountering the darkness is necessary for transformation can help patients and nurses to face tragedy. Future research should seek to understand why some patients get "stuck" encountering or converting darkness.
PURPOSE/ OBJECTIVES: To describe the process of how women with breast cancer attribute positive meaning to their illness. DESIGN: Descriptive, qualitative. SETTING: Major metropolitan area in the southwestern United States. SAMPLE: Twenty-four women diagnosed with breast cancer within the past two years. METHODS: Data collected during semistructured interviews were coded and analyzed using Grounded Theory techniques. MAIN RESEARCH VARIABLES: Process and outcomes of ascribing positive meanings to cancer. FINDINGS: The author observed a basic social-psychospiritual process of transforming personal tragedy. This process involved phases labeled as encountering darkness, converting darkness, encountering light, and reflecting light. CONCLUSIONS: Varying degrees of positive meaning can be attributed to breast cancer. Encountering the darkness and moving through the other phases are normal and adaptive. IMPLICATIONS FOR NURSING PRACTICE: Recognizing that positive meanings are independent of questions of causality but that encountering the darkness is necessary for transformation can help patients and nurses to face tragedy. Future research should seek to understand why some patients get "stuck" encountering or converting darkness.
Authors: Isabel Leal; Kathrin Milbury; Joan Engebretson; Surena Matin; Eric Jonasch; Nizar Tannir; Christopher G Wood; Lorenzo Cohen Journal: Palliat Support Care Date: 2017-03-06