Guida da Ponte1,2, Sílvia Ouakinin2,3, Jorge Espírito Santo4, Inês Amorim5, Zita Gameiro1, Mindi Fitz-Henley6, William Breitbart7. 1. Department of Psychiatry and Mental Health, Centro Hospitalar Barreiro-Montijo, EPE, Barreiro, Portugal. 2. Medical School of Lisbon, University of Lisbon, Lisboa, Portugal. 3. University Clinic of Medical Psychology and Psychiatry, Medical School of Lisbon, University of Lisbon, Lisboa, Portugal. 4. Oncology Unit, Centro Hospitalar Barreiro-Montijo, EPE, Barreiro, Portugal. 5. Algarve Cancer Association, Faro, Portugal. 6. Department of Psychiatry, University Hospital of the West Indies, Kingston, Jamaica. 7. Department of Psychiatry and Behavioral Sciences, Memorial Sloan Kettering Cancer Center, New York, NY, USA.
Abstract
OBJECTIVE: The aim was to understand the processes of therapeutic changes in Meaning-Centered Group Psychotherapy (MCGP) in a Portuguese sample. METHOD: Adult cancer patients with distress motivated to participate in MCGP were identified; descriptive and narrative analyses were performed on the session content. RESULTS: The sample had 24 participants (mean age: 63.43 years); the majority were females (75%), with a median academic degree (54%). Breast cancer was most frequent (67%) at the localized stage (71%). The narrative analysis defined seven categories according to the MCGP themes. In "Moments with Meaning (MwM)," the most relevant dimensions were related to interpersonal relations, the moment of diagnosis, and personal achievements. This category established relations with almost all other categories, as did the category "historical sources of meaning (SoM)." The category "identity before and after cancer diagnosis" was only related to "attitudinal SoM" and "transitions." Historical SoM had two dimensions, "past" and "present and future" legacies, in which prominent topics related to family, childhood, achieved goals, and values to pass to others explored. Attitudinal SoM established relations only with the category "creative SoM," in which "courage" and "responsibility" were the main dimensions, which were also related to "MwM," "historical," and "attitudinal SoM." Experiential SoM, with the main dimension "love," was related to "MwM" and "historical SoM." Transitions only established relations with "historical SoM" and "identity before and after cancer." SIGNIFICANCE OF RESULTS: The findings that "MwM" and "historical SoM" were the categories which established a solid pattern of relations suggest that these are the main psychotherapy topics that can have more influence for the participants; one explanation is that these categories imply a concrete way of thinking, which is easier to understand. This process of therapeutic changes must be integrated in a cultural context, as it is well known to have an impact upon the "meaning" of life.
OBJECTIVE: The aim was to understand the processes of therapeutic changes in Meaning-Centered Group Psychotherapy (MCGP) in a Portuguese sample. METHOD: Adult cancerpatients with distress motivated to participate in MCGP were identified; descriptive and narrative analyses were performed on the session content. RESULTS: The sample had 24 participants (mean age: 63.43 years); the majority were females (75%), with a median academic degree (54%). Breast cancer was most frequent (67%) at the localized stage (71%). The narrative analysis defined seven categories according to the MCGP themes. In "Moments with Meaning (MwM)," the most relevant dimensions were related to interpersonal relations, the moment of diagnosis, and personal achievements. This category established relations with almost all other categories, as did the category "historical sources of meaning (SoM)." The category "identity before and after cancer diagnosis" was only related to "attitudinal SoM" and "transitions." Historical SoM had two dimensions, "past" and "present and future" legacies, in which prominent topics related to family, childhood, achieved goals, and values to pass to others explored. Attitudinal SoM established relations only with the category "creative SoM," in which "courage" and "responsibility" were the main dimensions, which were also related to "MwM," "historical," and "attitudinal SoM." Experiential SoM, with the main dimension "love," was related to "MwM" and "historical SoM." Transitions only established relations with "historical SoM" and "identity before and after cancer." SIGNIFICANCE OF RESULTS: The findings that "MwM" and "historical SoM" were the categories which established a solid pattern of relations suggest that these are the main psychotherapy topics that can have more influence for the participants; one explanation is that these categories imply a concrete way of thinking, which is easier to understand. This process of therapeutic changes must be integrated in a cultural context, as it is well known to have an impact upon the "meaning" of life.
Authors: N van der Spek; J Vos; C F van Uden-Kraan; W Breitbart; P Cuijpers; K Holtmaat; B I Witte; R A E M Tollenaar; I M Verdonck-de Leeuw Journal: Psychol Med Date: 2017-04-04 Impact factor: 7.723
Authors: William Breitbart; Hayley Pessin; Barry Rosenfeld; Allison J Applebaum; Wendy G Lichtenthal; Yuelin Li; Rebecca M Saracino; Allison M Marziliano; Melissa Masterson; Kristen Tobias; Natalie Fenn Journal: Cancer Date: 2018-05-14 Impact factor: 6.860
Authors: David W Kissane; Sidney Bloch; Graeme C Smith; Patricia Miach; David M Clarke; Jillian Ikin; Anthony Love; Nadia Ranieri; Dean McKenzie Journal: Psychooncology Date: 2003-09 Impact factor: 3.894