published_or_final_version / Nursing Studies / Master / Master of Nursing

Breast cancer patients consistently reported psychosocial adjustment difficulty in their sense of femininity after breast removal surgery. In view of this, the present study aimed to explore the effects of three femininity-related concepts on emotional reactions towards breast removal surgery – femininity schema, femininity loss appraisals, and femininity contingency of self-worth. 212 women without breast cancer history participated in this study. They completed a questionnaire which included a hypothetical scenario of breast removal. Results showed that women who considered the breast of a high relative importance in femininity schema, and depended their self-worth highly on sense of femininity, reported greater increase in negative emotions after hypothetical breast removal. This effect was mediated by femininity loss appraisals. Implications and future directions were discussed. / published_or_final_version / Clinical Psychology / Master / Master of Social Sciences

In view of the increasing prevalence of female breast cancer in the global and local arenas, this disease has become a critical problem affecting women’s physical, psychological, spiritual and social conditions. With medical technology advancements, women can receive early diagnosis and effective treatment. However, maladjusted rehabilitation affects women’s long-term recovery. In order to improve women’s rehabilitation, more attention is being paid to breast cancer survivorship care after treatment. Therefore, how women experience and perceive breast cancer during the transition period is the important information for us to understand women’s breast cancer survivorship. The present study aims to explore how women perceive their breast cancer experiences during the transition period from a holistic perspective. This study adopted the qualitative inquiry approach. Movement-based focus group design was the present research design, in which dance/movement activities and group discussions were included. It is based on the belief that expressing through dance/movement enables an individual to reveal the experiences which have been stored in the body. Four focus groups were used, with a total of twenty recruited informants. Data collected from the focus group interviews included verbal (transcriptions) and non-verbal (writing/drawing and created body shapes) expressions. Interviews were transcribed verbatim and analyzed using the ATLAS.ti 7 qualitative data analysis software. The findings indicated that women's descriptions of their experiences during the transition period were associated with bodily, emotional, cognitive, spiritual, and self and social relational perspectives. Five domains (bodily, emotional, cognitive, spiritual and self and social relational experiences) were generated after data processing. Analysis of the contents in each domain reveals the body-mind-spirit connection. During this period, women consider their health and exercise to be important, they were relaxed and happy, they reflected more, they searched for purpose and meaning in life, and they appreciated developing relationships with others and self. Furthermore, the results showed that these women attained self-growth through their breast cancer experiences. Nevertheless, the self-growth areas and pace were different for each individual. The results also revealed that the non-verbal information (writing/drawings and created body shapes) enriched the women’s expression by illustrating their in-depth or hidden breast cancer experiences. The results provide practitioners with insight and direction into designing rehabilitation programmes for breast cancer survivors. Therefore, the contents of the programme include not only psychosocial aspects but also bodily, cognitive and spiritual perspectives. Furthermore, the present movement-based focus group demonstrated the use of non-verbal expressions, as well as dance/movement, to enhance communication. To conclude, this study sheds light on our understanding of women’s breast cancer experiences during the transition period, as well as on the use of the movement-based focus group research method. The present practice and experiences may contribute to qualitative research and psychosocial oncology research. Further research with larger sample size is recommended. The present methodology can also be extended to other cancer populations such as cervical cancer survivors. Furthermore, studies examining the additional benefits of using movement in focus group interview are also recommended. / published_or_final_version / Social Work and Social Administration / Master / Master of Philosophy

Breast cancer is the most prevalent cancer of women in South Africa, with one in twenty-seven women diagnosed with breast cancer in their lifetime. By building on human strengths, ways can be found to cope effectively with adversity. This will contribute to psychological well-being and result in living constructive and meaningful lives. Emotional intelligence and locus of control are two constructs which, according to previous research, may be associated with psychological wellbeing. Limited research has been conducted on these constructs in populations facing adversity. Adaptation to breast cancer treatment is considered to be an extremely difficult process. The research aimed to explore and describe emotional intelligence and locus of control within an adult breast cancer population. A sample of 67 breast cancer patients receiving treatment was approached to complete a biographical questionnaire and two pencil-and-paper questionnaires. Descriptive and inferential statistics were be used to analyze the data. The results of the quantitative analysis indicated a significant negative correlation between emotional intelligence and locus of control which shows that patients with higher levels of emotional intelligence possess more internal locus of control orientations, while patients with lower emotional intelligence possess more external locus of control orientations. The population presented with above average emotional intelligence and an internal locus of control orientation. The study can be regarded as the first step in opening a field of research which could contribute to more effective coping and the overall psychological well-being of individuals facing adversity in South Africa. Furthermore, the findings of the study contributed to understanding the role of emotional intelligence and locus of control in these populations and encouraged further research and the development and implementation of programmes that promote skills development in these areas.

published_or_final_version / Clinical Psychology / Master / Master of Social Sciences

Using the biopsychosocial model and the Epigenetic principle, this study looked into younger women's experiences of the psychosocial impact of breast cancer at diagnosis, treatment and beyond the breast cancer experience. Case study methodology was employed and five women between the ages of 20 and 40 were interviewed on their experiences using the semi-structured approach to interviewing. The knowledge gained was analysed thematically. Results of the study revealed that breast cancer posed major psychosocial challenges for these young women as they attempted to negotiate the illness experience with the activities developmentally appropriate to their life stage. Developmentally relevant challenges were expressed in the areas of work, childrearing and partner-relationships and it was evident that spirituality and positive social support networks such as friendships and church groups played a significant role in helping individuals cope with the process, and emerge from it with an increased value for life. / Thesis (M.A.)-University of KwaZulu-Natal, 2007.

published_or_final_version / Clinical Psychology / Doctoral / Doctor of Psychology

published_or_final_version / Clinical Psychology / Master / Master of Social Sciences

The number of women living with a breast cancer diagnosis will continue to increase with growing breast cancer incidence rates, greater utilization of early detection, and longer length of survival times. The prevalence of complementary and alternative medicine (CAM) is likely to increase as well, making it important to determine the nature and extent of CAM use in this population. This study explored CAM use and the influence of the control constructs in the context of the theory of cognitive adaptation. Computer-assisted telephone interviews were completed with 551 women diagnosed with breast cancer in Portland, Oregon. Results indicated that two-thirds (66%) of the women used at least one CAM therapy during the past 12 months. The majority of women had high perceptions of cancer control and believed the CAM therapies were important in influencing the course of the cancer. Logistical regression analysis found that significant demographic predictors of CAM use were younger age, higher education, and private insurance. Confirmatory factor analysis was used to refine and test the construct validation of the Cancer Locus of Control scale. Results supported a three-factor model (control over cause of cancer, control over course of cancer, and religious control of cancer) of the scale. Results of multinomial logistical regression indicated that higher perceptions of control over the course of the cancer significantly predicted CAM use in three categories. Religious control over the cancer was not a predictor of CAM use. The findings from this study will help health care professionals and policy makers identify patient needs that go beyond surgery, chemotherapy and radiation, and address patient-centered health-related goals and outcomes for optimal health and recovery from breast cancer. / Graduation date: 2002

published_or_final_version / Nursing Studies / Master / Master of Nursing in Advanced Practice