Cultural Adaptation and Open Pilot of Meaning-Centered Psychotherapy for Puerto Rican Patients with Advanced Cancer

In Puerto Rico, cancer incidence increases significantly, and is accompanied with a greater risk of experiencing high levels of depressive symptoms, emotional distress, and reduced quality of life when compared to other minority ethnic groups. Studies suggest that interventions to attend distress in Latino patient population would benefit from including components that seek to improve patients’ spiritual well-being. The purpose of this study is to identify the level of comprehension and acceptance of Meaning-Centered Psychotherapy (MCP) concepts. A mixed method design was conducted with in-depth interviews and open pilot data. A total of nine participants with advanced or metastatic cancer were sampled from an Oncology Clinic in the south of Puerto Rico. Six semi-structured interviews and six ethnographic notes with audiotape sessions were selected and transcribed. All material was analyzed, resulting in a sample of six semi-structured interview and six ethnographic note peer sessions. Patients showed low comprehension of the MCP concepts of meaning, the finite, and legacy. Patients showed low acceptance of death and its related concepts. They also reported high acceptance of integrating family members to their therapy. In order to tailor the intervention and improve comprehension, the content should include examples, shorter questions, and brief definitions. Additionally, there is a need to address death and its related concepts in end of life.