ABSTRACT This study explores the post-treatment psychosocial experiences of female adult cancer patients. In particular, this study aims at identifying common themes in the nature of their experiences. This research was exploratory in nature and took place within the context of the qualitative paradigm. The focus group method was utilised in collecting data. The six participants were white Christian females between the ages of 50 and 62 who had completed treatment (either chemotherapy, radiation or both) not more than four months prior to the study. Data were analysed by means of categorical content analysis. Four out of the six participants reported relief as well as mixed emotions after discovering they had survived cancer. A major finding of this research was that all of the participants were experiencing anxiety that the cancer might recur. Five out of the six participants reported ample support from their partners and other family members. The entire group of participants admitted that their genuine friends remained supportive throughout treatment, while some friends avoided them when they had cancer, but were willing to continue the friendship after treatment. This impacted negatively on their friendship. The entire group mentioned negative social experiences due to the stigma attached to having cancer. It was also found that the participants preferred spending time with people who have insight into the meaning of life. All of the participants agreed that without their relationship with God and the social support structure including churches and acquaintances at church, they would not be able to get through their experiences during and after treatment. The entire group mentioned the experience of a greater appreciation for life after having completed treatment and survived cancer. It is evident that the experiences of cancer survivors in the South African context necessitate further research and that an understanding of these experiences plays a crucial role in the development of successful interventions for survivors, their families and the wider social community in regard to cancer.

This study is aligned with the Institute of Medicine’s (IOM; 2011) recommendation for research to promote understanding of sexual minority health disparities. Specifically, the present study draws from two frameworks describing how stigma may manifest in negative health outcomes. First, Hatzenbueler’s (2009) model suggests mental health outcomes are influenced by group characteristics and stigma related stressors (e.g. prejudice, discrimination) that are mediated by psychological processes (e.g. coping strategies, cognitive processes) as well as group-specific processes (e.g. expectations of rejection, internalized stigma). Second, Frost’s (2011) model describes how stigma manifests as the experience of stigma (stress) as well as how intervening variables (e.g. coping strategies, meaning making) moderate health outcomes of stigma. Extending such work, this study adds to the literature explaining disparities among sexual minorities by examining multiple indicators of sexual stigma simultaneously, as they differently link to health outcomes of stress and self-reported health through psychosocial mechanisms of social support, self-compassion, and self-esteem. Moreover, this study will gauge if centrality of identity and level of “outness” plays a role in sexual minority health. Sample research questions addressed include: 1) Do different types of sexual stigma link with specific health outcomes and impaired psychosocial mechanisms? 2) Which psychosocial mechanisms are more strongly linked to health outcomes among sexual minorities? We collected data from 380 participants that self-identified as lesbian, gay, or bisexual through an online survey. Hierarchical multiple regression analyses examining sexual stigma, psychosocial resource mechanisms and health outcomes uncovered that public (p<.05) and self-stigma (p<.05) related to decreased social support, whereas discrimination (p.05) and self-stigma (p<.01) related to decreased self-compassion, and while discrimination (p<.01) and concealment (p<.05) related to decreased self-esteem. Moreover, discrimination related to both worse self-reported health (p<.05) and stress symptoms (p<.01). When psychosocial mechanisms were added sequentially to the model of health outcomes, results revealed that only decreased social support predicted worse self-reported health (p<.05). However, low levels of self-compassion (p<.001) and self-esteem (p<.001) predicted increased stress symptoms, contributing an additional 34% of explained variance in stress beyond stigma. Thus, findings revealed that differing types of sexual stigma matter for particular mechanisms that ultimately link to health outcomes, underscoring the strength in particular of sexually-based discrimination in health. Moreover, stress symptoms appeared particularly vulnerable with 53% of stress variance explained by sexual stigma, decreased resources, and identity factors such as centrality. This study also provided initial support for considering the resource of self-compassion as a mechanism in sexual minority health, which has not been examined previously in relation to sexual minorities, and which might be a target for intervention to improve health.

As the delivery of occupational therapy (OT) services via telehealth has dramatically expanded after the COVID-19 pandemic in 2020 (AOTA, 2022), the effective utilization of Information Communication Technologies (ICTs) along with psychosocial skill proficiency is at the forefront of healthcare within a mounting mental health crisis (WHO, 2022). Despite the essential application of ICTs, occupational therapy practitioners (OTPs) apparently lack knowledge, skills and confidence utilizing telehealth effectively (Aboujaoudé et al., 2021; Campbell et al., 2019; Chike-Harris et al., 2021; Corey, 2019; Hermes et al., 2021; Hoel et al., 2020; Larsson-Lund & Nyman, 2019; McClellan et al., 2020; Miranda-Duro et al., 2021). Moreover, research suggests that OTPs further lack confidence incorporating psychosocial abilities and personal attributes, such as therapeutic use of self (Anderson & Halbakken, 2020; Birken et al., 2017; Taylor, 2020). These obstacles jeopardize the distinct value of OT in mental health, as well as the overall viability of the profession. The Technology Training Program (TTP) is a multi-module, curriculum-based ICT skills training intervention that promotes professional advancement in these areas of clinical practice. OTP proficiency in technology and psychosocial skills is a crucial investment that promotes overall competence and self-efficacy to successfully meet global challenges and healthcare demands within a rapidly evolving digital landscape.

Academic burnout is prevalent among university students. Many studies have shown the importance of interpersonal (e.g. social support) and external (e.g. workload) factors in determining the causes of burnout. The purpose of this study was to examine the role of workload, social support, psychosocial training, and gender on burnout among university students and the degree to which these factors can predict burnout levels. Replicating other studies, measures of workload (objective and subjective), social support (Multidimensional Scale of Perceived Social Support), and previous psychosocial training were related to burnout (Maslach Burnout Inventory) among 150 undergraduate students. Consistent with existing literature, high levels of burnout were associated with high levels of both objective and subjective workload, with subjective workload having a greater impact. Lower levels of burnout were associated with higher levels of social support. Previous psychosocial training was not associated with the levels of burnout. Social support from teachers was found to be to most influential variable within this study. This unique finding can contribute to the limited existing body of knowledge on academic burnout, as well as bring awareness to university administrators and faculty regarding the important role that teachers play in the academic success of their students.

Background: Research literature suggests that assessment tools are primarily biomedically oriented, prioritizing the assessment of clients’/patients’ problems and deficits. Some literature suggests that assessment tools may be improved with the inclusion of psychosocial content and a focus on clients’/patients’ strengths and values. There is limited research on healthcare workers’ opinions of the assessment tools they use. Purpose: The purpose of this study is to collect data from healthcare workers to see how their opinions on assessment tools may interact with the existing literature. Methods: Healthcare workers of St. Joseph’s Healthcare Hamilton were recruited to complete an online survey comprised of 27 questions asking about the assessment tool they use most. Data was then analysed using descriptive statistics. Findings: Participants generally believe that the assessment tools they use are limited in their engagement with strengths, values, and many relevant biopsychosocial issues, and should increase their engagement with these subjects. Implications: Further research is needed to understand if - like the participants of this study - a larger sample of healthcare workers also feel that the assessment tools they use should change the extent to which they address certain issues. Furthermore, research is needed to understand reasons why healthcare workers may feel this way. / Thesis / Master of Social Work (MSW)

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