Chloe Fletcher1, Carlene Wilson2,3,4, Ingrid Flight2, Kate Gunn2,5, Pandora Patterson6,7. 1. Flinders Centre for Innovation in Cancer, College of Medicine and Public Health, Flinders University, Sturt Road, Bedford Park, SA, 5042, Australia. chloe.fletcher@flinders.edu.au. 2. Flinders Centre for Innovation in Cancer, College of Medicine and Public Health, Flinders University, Sturt Road, Bedford Park, SA, 5042, Australia. 3. Olivia Newton-John Cancer Wellness and Research Centre, 145 Studley Road, Heidelberg, VIC, 3084, Australia. 4. School of Psychology and Public Health, La Trobe University, Bundoora, VIC, 3086, Australia. 5. University of South Australia Cancer Research Institute, University of South Australia, North Terrace, Adelaide, SA, 5000, Australia. 6. CanTeen Australia, 75 King Street, Newtown, NSW, 2042, Australia. 7. Cancer Nursing Research Unit, University of Sydney, Camperdown, NSW, 2006, Australia.
Abstract
BACKGROUND: Individuals construct beliefs about an illness based on their own perceptions, interpretation, and understanding of the illness and its treatment. These beliefs (collectively referred to as "illness cognitions" or "representations") can have implications for psychological outcomes in family members and carers of an individual with an illness. The aim of this study was to explore young people's perceptions of their parent's cancer using the Common-Sense Model of Self-Regulation as a theoretical framework. METHODS: Semi-structured, one-on-one interviews were conducted with young people who had a parent diagnosed with cancer. Interview transcripts were analysed using deductive thematic analysis techniques. RESULTS: Eleven young people aged 15-24 years participated in the study. Major themes aligned with the dimensions of the Common-Sense Model of Self-Regulation. Young people described their experiences with parental cancer with reference to cognitive representations (beliefs about the illness identity, their understanding or coherence of the illness, and consequences, curability or controllability, timeline, and cause of the illness) and emotional representations (emotional beliefs and subjective feelings about the illness). CONCLUSIONS: Findings indicate that young people's perceptions of their parent's cancer can be usefully described within the framework of the Common-Sense Model of Self-Regulation. Future research should investigate the relationships between young people's illness cognitions, coping strategies, and psychological adjustment following their parent's cancer diagnosis. This will provide valuable insights for the development of interventions that target specific types of illness cognitions associated with maladaptive coping strategies and poor adjustment.
BACKGROUND: Individuals construct beliefs about an illness based on their own perceptions, interpretation, and understanding of the illness and its treatment. These beliefs (collectively referred to as "illness cognitions" or "representations") can have implications for psychological outcomes in family members and carers of an individual with an illness. The aim of this study was to explore young people's perceptions of their parent's cancer using the Common-Sense Model of Self-Regulation as a theoretical framework. METHODS: Semi-structured, one-on-one interviews were conducted with young people who had a parent diagnosed with cancer. Interview transcripts were analysed using deductive thematic analysis techniques. RESULTS: Eleven young people aged 15-24 years participated in the study. Major themes aligned with the dimensions of the Common-Sense Model of Self-Regulation. Young people described their experiences with parental cancer with reference to cognitive representations (beliefs about the illness identity, their understanding or coherence of the illness, and consequences, curability or controllability, timeline, and cause of the illness) and emotional representations (emotional beliefs and subjective feelings about the illness). CONCLUSIONS: Findings indicate that young people's perceptions of their parent's cancer can be usefully described within the framework of the Common-Sense Model of Self-Regulation. Future research should investigate the relationships between young people's illness cognitions, coping strategies, and psychological adjustment following their parent's cancer diagnosis. This will provide valuable insights for the development of interventions that target specific types of illness cognitions associated with maladaptive coping strategies and poor adjustment.
Entities:
Keywords:
Adolescent and young adult; Common-sense model of self-regulation; Illness cognitions; Oncology; Parental cancer; Qualitative research
Authors: Gea A Huizinga; Annemieke Visser; Yvonne E Zelders-Steyn; Janny A Teule; Sijmen A Reijneveld; Pétrie F Roodbol Journal: Eur J Cancer Date: 2011-09 Impact factor: 9.162
Authors: Elena Semino; Zsófia Demjén; Jane Demmen; Veronika Koller; Sheila Payne; Andrew Hardie; Paul Rayson Journal: BMJ Support Palliat Care Date: 2015-03-05 Impact factor: 3.568