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Positive changes among patients with advanced colorectal cancer and their family caregivers: a qualitative analysis
- Source :
- Psychology & Health. 32:94-109
- Publication Year :
- 2016
- Publisher :
- Informa UK Limited, 2016.
-
Abstract
- This study assessed positive changes in patients with advanced colorectal cancer and their family caregivers following diagnosis. We compared self-reported positive changes within patient-caregiver dyads as well as self-reports and patient reports of positive changes in caregivers.Individual, semi-structured qualitative interviews were conducted with 23 patients with advanced colorectal cancer and 23 caregivers. A theoretical thematic analysis of interview transcripts was framed by posttraumatic growth theory.Patients and caregivers described five positive changes: closer relationships with others, greater appreciation of life, clarifying life priorities, increased faith, and more empathy for others. Additionally, only caregivers reported better health habits following the cancer diagnosis, and a minority of patients and caregivers reported no positive changes. In about half of cases, patients reported at least one positive change that was identical to that of their caregiver. However, in most cases, patient and caregiver reports of the caregiver's positive change were discrepant.Findings suggest that positive changes are a shared experience for many patient-caregiver dyads and obtaining both patient and caregiver reports of caregiver positive changes provides a more comprehensive understanding of their experience. Interventions may capitalise on positive changes to promote meaningful living in the context of advanced cancer.
- Subjects :
- Adult
Male
Colorectal cancer
media_common.quotation_subject
Empathy
Article
03 medical and health sciences
Interpersonal relationship
0302 clinical medicine
Adaptation, Psychological
Humans
Medicine
Interpersonal Relations
030212 general & internal medicine
skin and connective tissue diseases
Qualitative Research
Applied Psychology
Aged
Neoplasm Staging
media_common
Aged, 80 and over
Posttraumatic growth
business.industry
Family caregivers
Public Health, Environmental and Occupational Health
Cancer
General Medicine
General Chemistry
Middle Aged
medicine.disease
Caregivers
030220 oncology & carcinogenesis
Female
Self Report
sense organs
Thematic analysis
Colorectal Neoplasms
business
Clinical psychology
Qualitative research
Subjects
Details
- ISSN :
- 14768321 and 08870446
- Volume :
- 32
- Database :
- OpenAIRE
- Journal :
- Psychology & Health
- Accession number :
- edsair.doi.dedup.....57321a6e437b12689bda83995a3a8e8b