Pathways to Acceptance in Participants of Advanced Cancer Online Support Groups

<i>Background and Objectives</i>: Individuals with cancer, especially advanced cancer, are faced with numerous difficulties associated with the disease, including an earlier death than expected. Those who are able to confront and accept the hardships associated with the disease in a way...

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Autores principales:	Christina Francesca Pereira, Kate Cheung, Elyse Alie, Jiahui Wong, Mary Jane Esplen, Yvonne W. Leung
Formato:	article
Lenguaje:	EN
Publicado:	MDPI AG 2021
Materias:	acceptance advanced cancer mindfulness distress existential suffering social support Medicine (General) R5-920
Acceso en línea:	https://doaj.org/article/2220ce2cdab740e6a4fcb02a92de96d7
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spelling	oai:doaj.org-article:2220ce2cdab740e6a4fcb02a92de96d72021-11-25T18:18:16ZPathways to Acceptance in Participants of Advanced Cancer Online Support Groups10.3390/medicina571111681648-91441010-660Xhttps://doaj.org/article/2220ce2cdab740e6a4fcb02a92de96d72021-10-01T00:00:00Zhttps://www.mdpi.com/1648-9144/57/11/1168https://doaj.org/toc/1010-660Xhttps://doaj.org/toc/1648-9144<i>Background and Objectives</i>: Individuals with cancer, especially advanced cancer, are faced with numerous difficulties associated with the disease, including an earlier death than expected. Those who are able to confront and accept the hardships associated with the disease in a way that aligns with their beliefs benefit from more positive psychological outcomes compared to those who are aware of their diagnosis but are unable to accept it. To date, there is limited research exploring factors contributing to illness and death acceptance in the context of advanced cancer in group therapy settings. <i>Materials and Methods</i>: The current study used a Directed Content Analysis approach on transcripts of online advanced cancer support groups to investigate if and how Yalom’s existential factors played a role in the emergence of acceptance. <i>Results</i>: The online support group platform, combined with the help of facilitators, offered supportive environments for individuals seeking help with cancer-related distress by helping patients move towards acceptance. Some participants had already begun the process of accepting their diagnosis before joining the group, others developed acceptance during the group process, while a few continued to be distressed. Our analysis revealed the emergence of four themes related to illness acceptance: (1) Facilitator-Initiated Discussion, including sub-themes of Mindfulness, Relaxation and Imagery, Changing Ways of Thinking, and Spirituality; (2) Personal attitudes, including sub-themes of Optimism and Letting Go of Control; (3) Supportive Environment, including the sub-themes of Providing Support to Others and Receiving Support from Others; and (4) Existential Experience, which included sub-themes of Living with the Diagnosis for an Extended Amount of Time, Legacy and Death Preparations, and Appreciating life. <i>Conclusions</i>: With a paradigm shift to online delivery of psychological services, recognizing factors that contribute to acceptance when dealing with advanced cancer may help inform clinical practices. Future studies should explore patient acceptance longitudinally to inform whether it emerges progressively, which has been suggested by Kübler-Ross.Christina Francesca PereiraKate CheungElyse AlieJiahui WongMary Jane EsplenYvonne W. LeungMDPI AGarticleacceptanceadvanced cancermindfulnessdistressexistential sufferingsocial supportMedicine (General)R5-920ENMedicina, Vol 57, Iss 1168, p 1168 (2021)
institution	DOAJ
collection	DOAJ
language	EN
topic	acceptance advanced cancer mindfulness distress existential suffering social support Medicine (General) R5-920
spellingShingle	acceptance advanced cancer mindfulness distress existential suffering social support Medicine (General) R5-920 Christina Francesca Pereira Kate Cheung Elyse Alie Jiahui Wong Mary Jane Esplen Yvonne W. Leung Pathways to Acceptance in Participants of Advanced Cancer Online Support Groups
description	<i>Background and Objectives</i>: Individuals with cancer, especially advanced cancer, are faced with numerous difficulties associated with the disease, including an earlier death than expected. Those who are able to confront and accept the hardships associated with the disease in a way that aligns with their beliefs benefit from more positive psychological outcomes compared to those who are aware of their diagnosis but are unable to accept it. To date, there is limited research exploring factors contributing to illness and death acceptance in the context of advanced cancer in group therapy settings. <i>Materials and Methods</i>: The current study used a Directed Content Analysis approach on transcripts of online advanced cancer support groups to investigate if and how Yalom’s existential factors played a role in the emergence of acceptance. <i>Results</i>: The online support group platform, combined with the help of facilitators, offered supportive environments for individuals seeking help with cancer-related distress by helping patients move towards acceptance. Some participants had already begun the process of accepting their diagnosis before joining the group, others developed acceptance during the group process, while a few continued to be distressed. Our analysis revealed the emergence of four themes related to illness acceptance: (1) Facilitator-Initiated Discussion, including sub-themes of Mindfulness, Relaxation and Imagery, Changing Ways of Thinking, and Spirituality; (2) Personal attitudes, including sub-themes of Optimism and Letting Go of Control; (3) Supportive Environment, including the sub-themes of Providing Support to Others and Receiving Support from Others; and (4) Existential Experience, which included sub-themes of Living with the Diagnosis for an Extended Amount of Time, Legacy and Death Preparations, and Appreciating life. <i>Conclusions</i>: With a paradigm shift to online delivery of psychological services, recognizing factors that contribute to acceptance when dealing with advanced cancer may help inform clinical practices. Future studies should explore patient acceptance longitudinally to inform whether it emerges progressively, which has been suggested by Kübler-Ross.
format	article
author	Christina Francesca Pereira Kate Cheung Elyse Alie Jiahui Wong Mary Jane Esplen Yvonne W. Leung
author_facet	Christina Francesca Pereira Kate Cheung Elyse Alie Jiahui Wong Mary Jane Esplen Yvonne W. Leung
author_sort	Christina Francesca Pereira
title	Pathways to Acceptance in Participants of Advanced Cancer Online Support Groups
title_short	Pathways to Acceptance in Participants of Advanced Cancer Online Support Groups
title_full	Pathways to Acceptance in Participants of Advanced Cancer Online Support Groups
title_fullStr	Pathways to Acceptance in Participants of Advanced Cancer Online Support Groups
title_full_unstemmed	Pathways to Acceptance in Participants of Advanced Cancer Online Support Groups
title_sort	pathways to acceptance in participants of advanced cancer online support groups
publisher	MDPI AG
publishDate	2021
url	https://doaj.org/article/2220ce2cdab740e6a4fcb02a92de96d7
work_keys_str_mv	AT christinafrancescapereira pathwaystoacceptanceinparticipantsofadvancedcanceronlinesupportgroups AT katecheung pathwaystoacceptanceinparticipantsofadvancedcanceronlinesupportgroups AT elysealie pathwaystoacceptanceinparticipantsofadvancedcanceronlinesupportgroups AT jiahuiwong pathwaystoacceptanceinparticipantsofadvancedcanceronlinesupportgroups AT maryjaneesplen pathwaystoacceptanceinparticipantsofadvancedcanceronlinesupportgroups AT yvonnewleung pathwaystoacceptanceinparticipantsofadvancedcanceronlinesupportgroups
_version_	1718411368701362176

Pathways to Acceptance in Participants of Advanced Cancer Online Support Groups

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