published_or_final_version / abstract / toc / Clinical Psychology / Master / Master of Social Sciences

published_or_final_version / abstract / toc / Clinical Psychology / Master / Master of Social Sciences

Although there are many instruments available to assess patient adaptation to cancer, there are few instruments which can be used to assess family members of cancer patients' adaptation to cancer. The present study was conducted to determine the internal structure and factor reliability estimates of a new instrument, the Family Adaptation to Medical ILLness Inventory (FAMILLI). The analysis of the FAMILLI was conducted using respondents (N=139) with family members of cancer. Respondents' ages ranged from 18 to 70 and many types of cancer, such as lung, breast, colorectal, prostate, brain, and cervical, were represented. The study was conducted in two phases, the pilot study and the major investigation.During the pilot study, respondents from a midwestern university setting and the oncology department at a midwestern hospital (N=28) completed the FAMILLI and participated in feedback groups. The pilot study helped to refine the demographic information sheet and to reduce the number of questions on the FAMILLI from 55 to 35 questions. In addition, interesting demographic questions were added to the demographics forms.The major study (N= 117) was conducted to test the initial factor structure of the FAMILLI and to test convergent and discriminant validity. A principal components extraction yielded a six factor solution which was judged best in terms of statistical structure and theoretical parsimony. The six factors to emerge were 1) factor one, "personal needs," 2) factor two, "attitudes toward leisure and work activities," 3) factor three, "anger and blame," 4) factor four, "receiving support," 5) factor five, "seeking medical information," and 6) factor six, "family responsibilities."Convergent and discriminant validity were tested using the Cancer Behavior Inventory (CBI-B) and the Satisfaction With Life Scale (SWLS). It was hypothesized that the FAMILLI would demonstrate convergent validity with the CBI-B. Four of the six factors (factors 2, 3, 4, and 5) significantly correlated with the CBI-B. The SWLS was used to test discriminant validity. Five of the six factors (factors 1, 2, 3, 4, and 6) correlated significantly with the SWLS. Thus, the FAMILLI did not demonstrate discriminant validity with an instrument used to measure global assessment of quality of life. Further research is needed to test the reliability and validity of the FAMILLI. / Department of Counseling Psychology and Guidance Services

Using primarily grounded theory methodology, the purpose of this study was to understand how the experience of cancer affects communication patterns in married couples where one spouse has been diagnosed with cancer. Nine couples, five in which women were diagnosed with cancer and four in which men were diagnosed with cancer, were interviewed individually. They were asked questions pertaining to changes in their relationship and communication patterns since the diagnosis of cancer. Potential barriers and facilitators to communication were explored. Additionally, gender differences that could play a role in these marital communication patterns were examined. Participants were also administered a measure of mood states, the Profile of Mood States (POMS) and, a measure of family cohesion, flexibility and communication, the Family Adaptability and Cohesion Evaluation Scale-version IV (FACES IV). Findings from both qualitative and quantitative methods were triangulated.Information gathered from the interviews generated eight themes: initial reactions to diagnosis, the experience of cancer, coping strategies, impact of cancer on the spousal relationship, spousal communication prior to cancer, spousal communication since the diagnosis of cancer, barriers to communication, and impact of gender and gender role on communication and adjustment. These categories and their subcategories generated an integrated grounded theory on the dimensions of communication. The theory consisted of three interactive elements: facilitators of communication, barriers to communication and the role of gender.Findings from this study confirmed existing trends in the current literature on communication among couples facing cancer. Results demonstrated that the experienceof cancer and its treatment brought couples closer to each other, where they experienced increased intimacy and communication with their spouses. There were several factors that facilitated these changes. On the other hand, barriers to communication were also identified; however, some of these barriers also served as coping strategies for participants. Furthermore, although there were differences and similarities noted among men and women in the study, results highlighted the importance of viewing them within the context of each participant's role as a patient and a caregiver, and not merely as a result of gender.Several research and practice implications are presented. Results of this study can help health care and mental health professionals gain a better understanding of the needs of cancer patients and their families. Couples and families can also benefit from an awareness of specific facilitators and barriers to communication. / Department of Counseling Psychology and Guidance Services

The purpose of this study was to explore the marital adjustment of older adult couples with breast cancer, prostate cancer, and couples who have experienced neither. Participants were 64 couples in which at least one of the spouses was over 55 years of age, including 19 breast cancer couples, 20 prostate cancer couples, 25 couples who had experienced neither of these cancers. Most participants were young-old, Protestant, Caucasians from a high socioeconomic class. The breast cancer and prostate cancer participants had completed treatment an average of 39.5 months prior to participation. The methodology was a mail survey. Participants completed a demographic questionnaire, the Marital Satisfaction Questionnaire for Older Adults (MSQFOP) (Haynes et al., 1992), Primary Communication Inventory (PCI) (Navran, 1967), Miller Social Intimacy Scale (MSIS) (Miller & Lefcourt, 1982), and the Index of Sexual Satisfaction (ISS) (Hudson et al., 1981).There were no differences in the amount of discordance between the couples groups' level of marital satisfaction, communication, intimacy, and sexual satisfaction. In addition, there were no differences in the level of marital satisfaction, communication, intimacy, and sexual satisfaction between the participant groups. There was a significantly greater correlation between the prostate cancer couples' scores on the ISS than the correlation between the breast cancer couples' scores and the scores of the couples who had not experienced breast cancer or prostate cancer.The level of marital satisfaction, communication, intimacy, and sexual satisfaction reported was similar to that of the normative samples. There was no difference between the marital adjustment of the cancer couples and older couples who had experienced neither type of cancer. These results are good news for breast and prostate cancer survivors, and professionals. Older adults may be better able to incorporate the experience of cancer into their lives or are better prepared for chronic illness through anticipatory socialization. The high degree of agreement between the prostate cancer spouses on the ISS may be related to the sexual dysfunction that frequently accompanies treatment for this cancer. Future research should be qualitative and longitudinal and continue to explore the psychosocial implications of prostate cancer. / Center for Gerontology

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published_or_final_version / abstract / toc / Clinical Psychology / Master / Master of Social Sciences

No description available.

published_or_final_version / Social Work and Social Administration / Master / Master of Philosophy

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