Maya Benish-Weisman1, Lisa M Wu2, Sarah L Weinberger-Litman3, William H Redd4, Katherine N Duhamel5, Christine Rini6. 1. University of Haifa,Haifa,Israel. 2. Mount Sinai School of Medicine,New York, New York. 3. Marymount Manhattan College,New York,New York. 4. Mount Sinai School of Medicine,New York,New York. 5. Memorial Sloan-Kettering Cancer Center,New York,New York. 6. University of North Carolina,Chapel Hill,North Carolina, andUNC Lineberger Comprehensive Cancer Center,Chapel Hill,North Carolina.
Abstract
OBJECTIVES: Survivors of hematopoietic stem cell transplant (HSCT) have experienced a life threatening and potentially traumatic illness and treatment that make them vulnerable to long lasting negative psychological outcomes, including anxiety and depression. Nevertheless, studies show that overcoming cancer and its treatment can present an opportunity for personal growth and psychological health (reduced symptoms of anxiety and depression and high levels of emotional well-being) through resilience. However, research has not yet clarified what differentiates HSCT survivors who experience psychological growth from those who do not. By analyzing recovery narratives, we examined whether HSCT survivors' interpretation of their experiences helps explain differences in their post-treatment psychological health. METHODS: Guided by narrative psychology theory, we analyzed the narratives of 23 HSCT survivors writing about their experience of cancer treatment. Psychological health was measured by: (1) emotional well-being subscale part of the Functional Assessment of Cancer Therapy Bone Marrow Transplant (FACT-BMT), (2) depression, and (3) anxiety subscales of the Brief Symptom Inventory. RESULTS: Findings revealed a positive relation between psychological health and a greater number of redemption episodes (going from an emotionally negative life event to an emotionally positive one) as well as fewer negative emotional expressions. SIGNIFICANCE OF THE RESULTS: Theoretical and practical implications of these findings are discussed, showing how narratives can inform interventions to assist cancer survivors with their psychological recovery.
OBJECTIVES: Survivors of hematopoietic stem cell transplant (HSCT) have experienced a life threatening and potentially traumatic illness and treatment that make them vulnerable to long lasting negative psychological outcomes, including anxiety and depression. Nevertheless, studies show that overcoming cancer and its treatment can present an opportunity for personal growth and psychological health (reduced symptoms of anxiety and depression and high levels of emotional well-being) through resilience. However, research has not yet clarified what differentiates HSCT survivors who experience psychological growth from those who do not. By analyzing recovery narratives, we examined whether HSCT survivors' interpretation of their experiences helps explain differences in their post-treatment psychological health. METHODS: Guided by narrative psychology theory, we analyzed the narratives of 23 HSCT survivors writing about their experience of cancer treatment. Psychological health was measured by: (1) emotional well-being subscale part of the Functional Assessment of Cancer Therapy Bone Marrow Transplant (FACT-BMT), (2) depression, and (3) anxiety subscales of the Brief Symptom Inventory. RESULTS: Findings revealed a positive relation between psychological health and a greater number of redemption episodes (going from an emotionally negative life event to an emotionally positive one) as well as fewer negative emotional expressions. SIGNIFICANCE OF THE RESULTS: Theoretical and practical implications of these findings are discussed, showing how narratives can inform interventions to assist cancer survivors with their psychological recovery.
Authors: Thuy T Koll; Jessica N Semin; Rachel A Coburn; Diane M Hill-Polerecky; Kimberly A Miller; Tanya M Wildes; Paul A Estabrooks; Katherine J Jones Journal: J Geriatr Oncol Date: 2019-12-11 Impact factor: 3.599
Authors: Mike Slade; Stefan Rennick-Egglestone; Joy Llewellyn-Beardsley; Caroline Yeo; James Roe; Sylvia Bailey; Roger Andrew Smith; Susie Booth; Julian Harrison; Adaresh Bhogal; Patricia Penas Morán; Ada Hui; Dania Quadri; Clare Robinson; Melanie Smuk; Marianne Farkas; Larry Davidson; Lian van der Krieke; Emily Slade; Carmel Bond; Joe Nicholson; Andrew Grundy; Ashleigh Charles; Laurie Hare-Duke; Kristian Pollock; Fiona Ng Journal: JMIR Form Res Date: 2021-05-27