Please read the abstract (Summary) in the section, 00front, of this document / Thesis (PhD (Psychology))--University of Pretoria, 2008. / Psychology / PhD / unrestricted

As breast cancer incidence and survival rates increase, there is an urgent need to make appropriate psychosocial support available to all women with breast cancer. In this qualitative study, narrative inquiry was used to examine how women with breast cancer used visual creative expression (art therapy and/or independent art making) to address psychosocial needs that arose for them after their diagnoses. Seventeen women, aged 37-82, participated in this investigation. Data analysis of in-depth interviews with these women focused on narratives they constructed about why they turned to art therapy and/or independent art making and how it helped to be involved in these activities. Particular attention was given to the issue of meaning making. Four storylines emerged from the analysis. "Art and art therapy as a haven" came from narratives about using art making or art therapy for comfort and affirmation. The narratives that comprised "getting a clearer view" were about using visual creative expression to create a clear picture of emotional experience. "Clearing the way emotionally" came from narratives about self-expression and about processing difficult emotions. The narratives that yielded "expanding and enlivening the self were about the women fortifying and energizing themselves through visual creative expression. Two minor themes related to the role of the art therapist and negative experiences with art therapy also emerged. In their narratives, the women portrayed visual creative expression as flexible, compelling, and powerful means of addressing multiple psychosocial needs simultaneously. Above all, the storylines show that the women valued visual creative expression as a way to reduce the feeling of threat to existence, to affirm present existence, and to promote the ongoing existence of both their psyches and their bodies. The results of this study contribute to the field of psycho-oncology by extending understandings of meaning making in relation to breast cancer, supplying detailed explanations from the perspectives of women with breast cancer of how visual creative expression can be helpful, and providing valuable insight into how psychosocial support services based on visual creative expression might meet needs of women with breast cancer that would not be met through other types of services. / Graduate and Postdoctoral Studies / Graduate

The study explored whether certain factors might be used to distinguish between people with cancer who do or do not want detailed information about their disease progress, do or do not want to be informed if their disease is no longer considered curable, and who do or do not want an estimation of life expectancy if their disease is no longer considered curable. The factors included whether an individual has an internal versus external locus of control, uses an active coping strategy or a planning coping strategy, the level of spirituality, and age. Participants consisted of 51 people with cancer from a cancer center in the state of Washington. Results indicated that 98% wanted detailed information about their disease progress, 94% wanted to be informed if their disease was no longer considered curable, and 78% wanted an estimation of life expectancy if their disease was no longer considered curable. Due to the majority of the participants endorsing the need for prognostic information none of the factors (e.g. coping strategies, locus of control, spirituality) were able to predict the information needs of the patients with cancer. Clinical implications of this study suggest that physicians have an ongoing, open dialogue with their patients about their prognostic information needs. The dialogue might be especially important for patients undergoing active treatment for cancer, since it could affect treatment decisions.

No description available.

This study used a qualitative research design to explore and identify, from participant's perspective, the aspects of a breast cancer support group that facilitate a quality experience of support.

published_or_final_version / abstract / Social Work and Social Administration / Doctoral / Doctor of Philosophy

The purpose of the present study was to examine the role that specific factors play in the quality of life (QL) for women with recurrent breast cancer.

研究背景: 隨著乳腺癌患者存活率的不斷上升及其存活時間的不斷延長，癌病倖存已成為一個重要的慢性疾病管理問題。之前在該領域的研究主要集中於生活質量的測量。然而，癌病倖存研究應該超出這一範疇而更好地去瞭解乳腺癌倖存者的真實體驗。癌病倖存是一個新興而複雜的概念，它包含了動態的、多維的以及社會文化的觀點。但是，衛生專業人員受限於現有的知識未能為中國大陸乳腺癌患者的長期倖存做好準備。 / 研究目的: 本研究目的是從中國大陸女性的視角詳盡闡述乳腺癌倖存者的親身體驗。具體研究目標包括：1）乳腺癌倖存者的生活質量；2）與乳腺癌倖存者生活質量相關的因素；3）乳腺癌患者的倖存體驗；4）社會人口學及臨床學特徵對於乳腺癌倖存體驗的影響；5）建立一種與文化相關的概念模型用以解釋中國婦女乳腺癌患者的倖存體驗。 / 研究方法: 本研究採用混合研究方法，分兩個階段進行。先是定量法（第一階段），其次是定性法（第二階段）。第一階段是對乳腺癌倖存者其生活質量及相關因素進行橫斷性調查。測量工具包括生活質量-癌症倖存者量表及社會支持問卷簡表。該階段的調查結果將指導第二階段的目的性抽樣並建立半結構式訪談計劃。第二階段是對選定倖存者進行深入訪談以探究她們的癌症倖存體驗。採用內容分析法對訪談數據的潛在及顯性內容進行分析。然後對不同定義組中的定性數據進行比較，探索社會人口學及臨床學特徵對乳腺癌倖存體驗的影響。最後對定量和定性數據進行對比和比較，以確定並探討癌病倖存體驗的組成元素和模型開發。 / 研究結果：在完成第一階段的100位倖存者中，平均年齡為53.75 歲 (SD=7.27)，治療完成後存活時間的中位數為44 個月 (四分位範圍=23-61)。總體生活質量平均值為6.55，範圍3.68 - 8.89。在身體分量表中顯示生活質量最高值，而在靈性分量表找到其最小值。多元回歸分析表明，存活期的長短、對社會支持的滿意度以及家庭年收入與生活質量均顯著相關。 / 29位倖存者完成了第二階段的研究。結果顯示用於描述倖存經驗的七個範疇，包括：體驗令人痛苦的症狀；與不確定性進行抗爭；在女性特質及性行為上的改變；忍受社會壓力；被關照和支持；反思和個人成長；生存並向前發展。定性數據的比較顯示，對於存活時間低於5年，或者家庭年收入較低，亦或感知的生活質量較低的女性，她們傾向於報告負面的倖存經驗。通過提取定量和定性階段上主要的研究結果建立一個概念模型，用以解釋中國女性是如何理解乳腺癌倖存經驗的。它表明，乳腺癌倖存經驗在本質上是多維的。治療完成後，乳腺癌患者在生活變化上會有消極與積極的雙重性，會對生活質量評估產生影響。此外，乳腺癌倖存經驗也不是一成不變的。它是一個動態的應對過程，具有幾種策略以應對癌症導致的生活變化。 / 研究結果：本研究對中國文化背景下乳腺癌倖存經驗提供了證據。本研究全面而深入的瞭解乳腺癌患者倖存經驗，並為進一步發展測量工具以及具備文化敏感性的心理干預提供了基礎，以解決中國女性的倖存經驗的問題。 / Background: With the increasing survival rate and length of survival in breast cancer, cancer survivorship has become an important chronic illness management issue. Previous studies in this area mainly focus on appraisal of quality of life (QOL). However, cancer survivorship studies should go beyond QOL to better understand breast cancer survivor’s experience of living with the disease. Cancer survivorship appears as an emerging but complex concept incorporating dynamic, multidimensional, and socio-cultural perspectives. Little information exists addressing breast cancer survivorship experience in mainland China that impedes health professionals’ ability to deliver quality of cancer care. / Aim: To develop an understanding of breast cancer survivorship experience from the perspective of mainland Chinese women. Specific objectives included exploring 1) women’s perceived QOL; 2) factors associated with women’s QOL; 3) women’s perception of breast cancer survivorship experience; 4) the influence of socio-demographic and clinical characteristics on the women’s perception of their survivorship experience after breast cancer; and 5) to develop a culturally relevant conceptual model to explain Chinese women’s breast cancer survivorship experience. / Methods: A mixed methods study with two phases was conducted, quantitative approach (Phase One) followed by qualitative approach (Phase Two). Phase One was a cross-sectional survey on Chinese breast cancer survivors to investigate their QOL and its associating factors. Instruments included Quality of Life -- Cancer Survivor Scale and six-item Social Support Questionnaire. Findings in this phase contributed to inform the purposive sampling and develop a semi-structured interview schedule for Phase Two. In-depth interviews on selected survivors were conducted to explore their perceptions of cancer survivorship experience. Content analysis was used to analyze both latent and manifest meaning of interview data. Comparisons of qualitative data across defined groups were made to explore the influence of socio-demographic and clinical characteristics on breast cancer survivorship experience. Quantitative and qualitative data were compared and contrasted to identify and explore elements in cancer survivorship experience and model development. / Results: Among 100 survivors who completed Phase One, the mean age was 53.75 years (SD=7.27), and the median length of survivorship since completion of treatment was 44 months (IQR=23-61). The mean overall QOL was 6.55, with a range of 3.68 -8.89. The highest QOL was found in the physical subscale, and the lowest in the spiritual subscale. Multivariate regression analysis identified that length of survivorship, satisfaction with social support, annual household income were significantly associated with QOL. / Twenty-nine survivors completed Phase Two. Seven categories emerged describing the survivorship experience included experiencing distressful symptoms; struggling with uncertainty; alterations in femininity and sexuality; living with social stress; being cared for and supported; reflections and personal growth; and surviving and moving forward. Comparisons of qualitative data revealed that women with less than five years of survivorship, or low annual household income, or low perceived QOL tended to report negative survivorship experience. A conceptual model was developed by drawing the key findings of quantitative and qualitative phases to explain how Chinese women perceive the breast cancer survivorship experience. It reveals that breast cancer survivorship experience is multidimensional in nature, with a duality for the negative and positive aspects of life changes after completion of treatment, contributing to influence appraisal of QOL. Furthermore, breast cancer survivorship experience is not static but a dynamic coping process with several strategies for dealing with life changes that result from cancer. / Conclusions: The study provides evidence of several components of breast cancer survivorship within Chinese cultural context. This offers a comprehensive and insightful understanding of the experience after surviving breast cancer, and a basis for further inquiry for developing an instrument and culturally sensitive psychosocial intervention to address Chinese women’s survivorship experience. / Detailed summary in vernacular field only. / Detailed summary in vernacular field only. / Detailed summary in vernacular field only. / Detailed summary in vernacular field only. / Detailed summary in vernacular field only. / Detailed summary in vernacular field only. / Cheng, Huilin. / Thesis (Ph.D.)--Chinese University of Hong Kong, 2012. / Includes bibliographical references (leaves 252-283). / Electronic reproduction. Hong Kong : Chinese University of Hong Kong, [2012] System requirements: Adobe Acrobat Reader. Available via World Wide Web. / Abstract also in Chinese; appendixes inchludes Chinese. / Chapter CHAPTER ONE --- INTRODUCTION --- p.1 / Background of the study --- p.2 / Breast cancer incidence --- p.2 / Breast cancer diagnosis and treatments --- p.3 / Breast cancer survival --- p.5 / Cancer survivorship --- p.7 / Overview of cancer survivorship --- p.7 / Breast cancer survivorship research --- p.10 / Rationale for the study --- p.12 / Purpose of the study --- p.13 / Organization of the thesis --- p.13 / Chapter CHAPTER TWO --- LITERATURE REVIEW --- p.15 / Literature search --- p.15 / Search strategy --- p.15 / Selection criteria --- p.16 / Definition of cancer survivor --- p.17 / Concept of cancer survivorship --- p.18 / Concept of quality of life (QOL) --- p.22 / Definitions --- p.22 / Measurements --- p.25 / Generic instrument --- p.26 / Cancer-specific instrument --- p.26 / Cancer survivor-specific instrument --- p.27 / Distinctions between cancer survivorship and QOL --- p.29 / Quantitative studies on breast cancer survivorship --- p.30 / Overall QOL and QOL across different domains of breast cancer survivors --- p.30 / Overall QOL --- p.30 / Physical effect --- p.31 / Psychological effect --- p.34 / Social effect --- p.36 / Spiritual effect --- p.37 / Factors affecting the QOL of breast cancer survivors --- p.40 / Socio-demographic factors --- p.41 / Clinical factors --- p.42 / Social support --- p.47 / Ethnicity --- p.49 / Methodological critique of quantitative studies --- p.52 / Qualitative studies on breast cancer survivorship --- p.54 / Multidimensional nature of breast cancer survivorship --- p.54 / Dynamic nature of breast cancer survivorship --- p.57 / Influence of ethnicity on breast cancer survivorship --- p.60 / Methodological critique of qualitative studies --- p.62 / Mixed methods study on breast cancer survivorship --- p.63 / Summary --- p.65 / Chapter CHAPTER THREE --- METHODOLOGY --- p.67 / Study aim and objectives --- p.67 / Definitions of terms --- p.68 / An overview of mixed methods research --- p.69 / Philosophical foundation of mixed methods research --- p.71 / Research design: Sequential explanatory mixed methods --- p.72 / Overview of the selected design --- p.72 / Justification for the selected design --- p.74 / Integration of data from Phases One and Two --- p.76 / Study setting --- p.78 / Description of the Phase One study method --- p.79 / Sampling --- p.80 / Sample size --- p.80 / Sampling criteria --- p.80 / Instruments --- p.81 / Socio-demographic and clinical characteristics --- p.81 / Perceived social support --- p.81 / QOL --- p.82 / Sexual QOL --- p.85 / Willingness to participate in Phase Two --- p.86 / Data collection procedures --- p.86 / Quantitative data analysis --- p.87 / Descriptive analysis --- p.87 / Regression analysis --- p.88 / Description of the Phase Two study method --- p.88 / Sample and sampling --- p.89 / Sampling and selection criteria --- p.89 / Sample size --- p.90 / Data collection method --- p.91 / Semi-structured face-to-face interview --- p.91 / Interview schedule --- p.92 / Data collection procedure --- p.93 / Qualitative data analysis --- p.94 / Content analysis --- p.94 / Comparative analysis in qualitative research --- p.97 / Ensuring rigor of qualitative inquiry --- p.99 / Justification for using validity and reliability --- p.99 / Strategies for achieving validity --- p.100 / Strategies for achieving reliability --- p.101 / Ethical considerations --- p.101 / Pilot study --- p.102 / Pilot study of Phase One --- p.102 / Pilot study of Phase Two --- p.104 / Chapter CHAPTER FOUR --- FINDINGS FOR PHASE ONE --- p.106 / Characteristics of participants --- p.106 / Socio-demographic characteristics --- p.106 / Clinical characteristics --- p.108 / Perceived social support --- p.110 / QOL --- p.111 / Physical domain --- p.112 / Psychological domain --- p.113 / Social domain --- p.114 / Spiritual domain --- p.115 / Sexual domain --- p.116 / Factors associated with QOL --- p.117 / Differences in overall QOL and QOL domains by socio-demographic and clinical characteristics, as well as perceived social support --- p.118 / Factors associated with overall QOL and different QOL domains --- p.126 / Participants’ willingness to participate in Phase Two of the study --- p.129 / Contribution of Phase One findings to the development of Phase Two --- p.132 / Selection criteria for purposive sampling --- p.132 / Development of interview schedule --- p.134 / Summary --- p.135 / Chapter CHAPTER FIVE --- FINDINGS FOR PHASE TWO --- p.137 / Characteristics of participants --- p.137 / Categories identified from content analysis --- p.140 / Experiencing distressful symptoms --- p.142 / Memory and concentration problems --- p.142 / Lymphedema --- p.142 / Fatigue --- p.143 / Struggling with uncertainty --- p.144 / Fear of recurrence --- p.144 / Fatalism --- p.145 / Unpredictability of illness --- p.146 / Alterations in femininity and sexuality --- p.147 / Poor body image --- p.147 / Changes in sexual activity --- p.149 / Living with social stress --- p.150 / Being stigmatized --- p.150 / Financial burden --- p.151 / Being cared for and supported --- p.152 / Family members and close friends --- p.153 / Cancer self-help group --- p.154 / Workplace --- p.155 / Health professionals --- p.155 / Reflections and personal growth --- p.156 / Re-prioritizing life perspectives --- p.156 / Change in personal character --- p.157 / Gaining inner strength --- p.158 / Surviving and moving forward --- p.159 / Performing self-care --- p.159 / Attitude towards having cancer --- p.160 / Hope for the future --- p.162 / Sense of normalcy --- p.163 / Comparison of categories and subcategories by selected characteristics --- p.164 / Comparison of categories between participants with high- and low-perceived QOL --- p.164 / Comparison of categories between participants with high- and low-annual household income --- p.167 / Comparison of categories between participants with short- and long- term survivorship --- p.169 / Summary --- p.170 / Chapter CHAPTER SIX --- DISCUSSION --- p.171 / Purpose of integration --- p.171 / Convergent findings --- p.172 / Complementary findings --- p.173 / Socio-demographic background of the participants --- p.174 / Clinical characteristics of the participants --- p.176 / Women's perception of QOL --- p.178 / Women's perceived levels of overall QOL and specific domains --- p.178 / Overall QOL --- p.178 / QOL in the physical domain --- p.179 / QOL in the psychological domain --- p.180 / QOL in the social domain --- p.181 / QOL in the spiritual domain --- p.182 / QOL in the sexual domain --- p.183 / Factors associated with women’s perceived levels of QOL --- p.184 / Socio-demographic factors influencing women’s perceived QOL --- p.184 / Clinical characteristics influencing women’s perceived QOL --- p.185 / Women's perception of social support and QOL --- p.186 / Social network and support --- p.186 / Social network and QOL --- p.188 / Satisfaction with social support and QOL --- p.189 / Women's perception of the breast cancer survivorship experience --- p.190 / Symptom distress --- p.191 / Uncertainty --- p.192 / Body image --- p.194 / Sexuality --- p.196 / Cancer-related stigma --- p.197 / Financial burden --- p.198 / Meaning in life --- p.200 / Self-identity --- p.202 / Fatalism --- p.203 / Attitude towards having cancer --- p.205 / Self-care/self-management --- p.206 / Hope --- p.207 / Summary --- p.208 / Chapter CHAPTER SEVEN --- A CONCEPTUAL MODEL TO EXPLAIN CHINESE WOMEN’S BREAST CANCER SURVIVORSHP EXPEREINCE --- p.210 / Overview of the proposed conceptual model --- p.210 / Content of the conceptual model --- p.211 / Function of the conceptual model --- p.212 / Perceived negative life change --- p.218 / Symptom distress --- p.218 / Uncertainty --- p.219 / Concern about body image --- p.220 / Cancer-related stigma --- p.222 / Financial burden --- p.223 / Perceived positive life change --- p.224 / Meaning in life --- p.224 / Positive self-identity --- p.225 / Social support --- p.226 / Co-existence of perceived negative and positive life changes --- p.228 / Perceived quality of life --- p.228 / Coping --- p.229 / Fatalistic voluntarism --- p.230 / Maintaining hope --- p.231 / Positive attitude --- p.232 / Performing self-care/self-management --- p.233 / Comparison between previous theory and the present model --- p.234 / Summary --- p.238 / Chapter CHAPTER EIGHT --- CONCLUSION --- p.239 / Limitations --- p.239 / Implications for nursing practice --- p.243 / Recommendations for future research --- p.248 / Conclusion --- p.251 / REFERENCE --- p.252 / APPENDIX --- p.284

published_or_final_version / Public Health / Master / Master of Public Health

published_or_final_version / abstract / toc / Community Medicine / Doctoral / Doctor of Philosophy