Posttraumatic growth in adolescent survivors of cancer and their mothers and fathers

OBJECTIVE: To describe posttraumatic growth (PTG) following childhood cancer survival and its association with demographic and disease/treatment variables, perceived treatment severity and life threat, and posttraumatic stress symptoms (PTSS). METHOD: Adolescent survivors of cancer (N = 150, ages 11-19), at least 1 year after treatment, and their mothers (N = 146) and fathers (N = 107) completed self-report measures of perceived treatment intensity and PTSS and a semistructured interview designed to identify posttraumatic responses and indicators of PTG including perceived positive changes for self, relationships, and life goals. RESULTS: A majority of adolescents and their mothers and fathers reported PTG. Greater perceived treatment severity and life threat, but not objective disease severity, was associated with PTG. PTG and PTSS were positively associated for the adolescent cancer survivors. Diagnosis after age 5 resulted in more perceived benefit and greater PTSS for adolescent survivors. CONCLUSION: Clarification of the concept and measurement of PTG after childhood cancer is warranted, as are prospective studies of the association of PTG and PTSS and the role of demographic variables and illness-specific appraisals.     

Neural correlates of posttraumatic growth after severe motor vehicle accidents

Frontal brain asymmetry has been associated with emotion- and motivation-related constructs. The authors examined the relationship between frontal brain asymmetry and subjective perception of posttraumatic growth (PTG) after severe motor vehicle accidents (MVAs). Eighty-two survivors of MVAs completed self-report measures of PTG, trait and state affect, and diagnostic interviews assessing clinical status, and underwent measurement of resting electroencephalographic activity. As predicted, increased relative left frontal activation was significantly related to PTG, even when statistically controlling for dispositional positive affect. The authors assume that approach-related motivational tendencies associated with higher relative left frontal brain activity may be involved in the process and outcome of PTG.     

The relationship of coping strategies, social support, and attachment style with posttraumatic growth in cancer survivors

This cross-sectional study investigated attachment style, coping strategies, social support, and posttraumatic growth (PTG) in 54 cancer survivors. Secure attachment was significantly associated with active coping, positive reframing, and religion, and these were all associated with PTG. Insecure types of attachment and social support variables were unrelated to PTG. Regression analysis suggests that positive reframing and religion as coping strategies may mediate the relationship between secure attachment and PTG.     

Survivor identity and post-traumatic growth after participating in challenge-based peer-support programmes

Objectives. The social construction of breast cancer (BC) survivor identity has produced a powerful image of woman as survivor. Group membership through peer‐support programmes can provide positive role models, shape survivor identity and promote post‐traumatic growth (PTG). The main objective of this study was to conduct a qualitative investigation based on a phenomenological framework in order to understand the lived experience of BC survivors participating in a peer‐support programme based on a challenge event. Design. This is a qualitative semi‐structured and written narrative study. Interviews were subjected to interpretative phenomenological analysis and the written narratives via thematic analysis. Method. Interviews were conducted with 27 participants who were new to the peer‐support event for women diagnosed with BC, and 10 participants who had taken part in multiple events provided written narratives of their experience. Interviews and surveys were completed pre‐ and post‐event. Results. Important elements of the peer‐support environment included a safe network of other survivors, which provided understanding and acceptance. Overcoming challenges during the event and the opportunity to bond with positive role models affirmed a strong survivor identity and promoted PTG. For some participants, a shift in identity was evident with a newfound positive identification with the term BC survivor. Conclusions. Peer‐support programmes based on challenge events have the potential to extend the type of supportive care that is available for women diagnosed with BC by providing an alternative to the traditional support group format.     

Post-traumatic growth as outcome of a cognitive-behavioural therapy trial for motor vehicle accident survivors with PTSD

Objectives. Treatment effects on post-traumatic growth (PTG) and its subdomains were investigated together with predictors of the Janus-face model of PTG. Design. Effects were investigated within a randomized controlled trial of cognitive-behavioural theropy (CBT) for post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD). Method. Forty motor vehicle accident survivors were randomly assigned to a treatment or waiting condition. PTG was measured by the Post-traumatic Growth Inventory and complemented by its possible predictors (optimism, openness). Results. The CBT treatment proved to be highly effective in terms of PTSD symptom reduction. In contrast to previous findings, however, there was no treatment effect on PTG in general. The CBT group showed, however, increases in PTG subdomains 'new possiblities' and 'personal strength'. Conclusions. The results of this study caution researchers to naively expect PTG as a uniformly positive outcome to evaluate treatment effectiveness.     

Posttraumatic growth in mothers and fathers of children with severe illnesses

Posttraumatic growth (PTG) can occur after various types of trauma but has not been studied prospectively in parents of children with chronic diseases. In this study, PTG was assessed in 126 parents of 67 children with type 1 diabetes or cancer three years after diagnosis. Most parents (62.7%) reported at least a moderate degree of PTG. Quality of family relationships, parental psychological distress and child medical characteristics assessed one month after diagnosis, and parents' gender, explained 34 percent of PTG variance. The findings confirm that a severe disease of a child can lead to personal growth in the child's parents.     

Coping with cancer: A qualitative study of adolescent and young adult perspectives

ObjectivesCancer can have long-term biopsychological impacts for young people that persist for years. To promote adjustment, it is essential to understand how young people cope, yet this is relatively understudied.MethodsThis study explored the coping strategies using semi-structured interviews with 16 young people with cancer aged 15–24 years. Eligible participants were diagnosed within the previous 24 months and recruited through Australian Youth Cancer Services. Transcribed interviews were analysed using content analysis.ResultsCoping strategies included: seeking support; controlling the focus; avoiding negatives and staying positive; meaning making and; changes with time. During treatment, seeking support, focussing on the present, distraction and avoidance were commonly applied. Following treatment, planning for the future, avoidance of re-traumatising situations and meaning making were used.ConclusionFindings support the concept of coping as a dynamic process where different strategies are used depending on the stressor, available resources and previous experiences.Practice ImplicationsComprehensive, developmentally appropriate psychosocial assessments, open communication, education and information provision, as well as appropriate referral for support are essential, particularly for young cancer survivors identified at risk.     

正念干预对癌症患者创伤后成长干预效果的meta分析

目的:评价正念干预(MBI)对癌症患者创伤后成长(PTG)的干预效果。方法:计算机检索Cochrane library、PubMed、Embase、Web of Science、CBM、VIP、WangFang Data和CNKI数据库中MBI对癌症患者PTG的随机对照试验(RCT)。两名研究者按照纳入排除标准独立筛选文献、进行文献质量评价并从中提取数据,采用RevMan 5.3软件进行数据分析。结果:共纳入9篇RCT,合计822例患者。Meta分析结果显示,实施MBI后,干预组患者的PTG水平优于对照组,差异有统计学意义[MD=7.27,95%CI=(4.75~9.79),P<0.001],干预效果能维持到干预后3个月[MD=8.64,95%CI=(7.20~10.08),P<0.001]。与对照组相比,线上干预模式对癌症患者PTG的改善效果不明显,差异无统计学意义[MD=3.59,95%CI=(-1.22~8.41),P>0.05],而面对面的小组干预模式能促进癌症患者PTG水平的提高[MD=7.87,95%CI=(5.19~10.54),P<0.001]。结论:正念干预有助于提高癌症患者的创伤后成长水平,面对面小组干预模式比线上干预模式在提升患者的创伤后成长水平上效果更佳。     

Circadian rhythm of objectively recorded hot flashes in postmenopausal breast cancer survivors

OBJECTIVE: Similar to the circadian rhythm of core body temperature, hot flashes have been found to exhibit a circadian rhythm in healthy, naturally postmenopausal women, with a peak in frequency at 18:25 h. However, to date, no studies have evaluated whether this same pattern is found among breast cancer survivors reporting hot flashes. DESIGN: Daily hot flash frequencies were measured among 21 postmenopausal breast cancer survivors using validated 24-h sternal skin conductance monitoring. RESULTS: Hot flashes were noted in all women, ranging in frequency from 1 to 30 per 24-h period. A majority of the sample (86%) experienced > or = 1 nighttime hot flash, with 48% exhibiting > or = 3 but < or = 7 nighttime hot flashes. For the total sample, a modest circadian rhythm was noted with a peak in hot flash frequency occurring at 16:10 h. However, significant variability was observed across individual women, and, as a whole, breast cancer survivors demonstrated distorted to obliterated rhythms. CONCLUSIONS: Data suggest that hot flashes in postmenopausal breast cancer survivors do not follow the same circadian pattern as previously seen in healthy, naturally postmenopausal women. Findings have implications for (1) understanding the potential for sleep disturbances and fatigue in breast cancer survivors experiencing hot flashes, and (2) future research examining circadian rhythms of core body temperature and hot flashes in breast cancer survivors.     

‘A blessing and a burden’: Exploring posttraumatic growth in doctors with acquired invisible disability—An interpretative phenomenological analysis

Objectives

Qualitative studies of the relationship between acquired invisible disability (AcqID) and posttraumatic growth (PTG) are scant, especially in the context of healthcare professionals. This study aimed to explore in-depth accounts of the lived experience of PTG in doctors with AcqID arising from physical illness with cognitive dysfunction.

Design

Five doctors who had been diagnosed in the last decade with a physical illness with cognitive dysfunction resulting in an AcqID, and who self-reported at least one feature of PTG participated in this qualitative research study.

Methods

Semi-structured interviews were used to collect data, which were analysed using interpretative phenomenological analysis.

Results

This study recognized that AcqID supported a process of PTG for participants. Three superordinate themes were apparent across the sample: identity (The human left behind), self (Acceptance of the disabled self), and rebirth (The phoenix rises from the ashes). Human connection, service as a value, and the role of the body were found to be key facilitators of PTG in these participants. This study offers new perspectives on cognitive-embodied appreciation in facilitating PTG in doctors with AcqID.

Conclusions

While the participants perceived AcqID with cognitive dysfunction to be a trauma, they also experienced PTG, Corporeal PTG and a new considered domain, Cognitive-Embodied PTG. The unrealised potential of PTG can be harnessed if doctors with disability are viewed as assets to the medical profession, and diversity is promoted through the provision of appropriate support. Thus, there is potential to cultivate a flourishing, inclusive, and compassionate culture within medicine.     

An exploration of posttraumatic growth,loneliness, depression,resilience, and social capital among survivors of Hurricane Katrina and the Deepwater Horizon Oil Spill

The aim of this study was to examine the relationships among posttraumatic growth (PTG), loneliness, depression, psychological resilience, and social capital among survivors of Hurricane Katrina in 2005 and the Deepwater Horizon oil spill in 2010. The survey was administered to a spatially stratified, random sample of households in the three coastal counties of Mississippi. A total of 216 participants were included in this study who lived in close proximity to the Gulf of Mexico coastline during both disasters. Results from structural equation modeling analyses indicated that there was a significant and inverse relationship between PTG and loneliness. Conversely, a direct relationship was not found between PTG and depressive symptoms; instead, the results revealed an indirect relationship between PTG and depressive symptoms through loneliness. Social capital was related to loneliness only indirectly through PTG, while psychological resilience was related to loneliness both directly and indirectly through PTG. Understanding the relationships among these factors, particularly the importance of PTG, can provide insight into the long‐term adaptation among those who have survived multiple disasters. Further, these findings may lead to nuanced methods for behavioral health practitioners in assessing and treating individuals with symptoms of depression in disaster‐prone communities.     

Posttraumatic growth in cancer: Reality or illusion?

Research in posttraumatic growth (PTG) among cancer patients has been triggered primarily by the inclusion of serious illnesses among the events that can lead to posttraumatic stress disorder (PTSD); increasing survival rates among cancer patients; and, attempts at encouraging a positive psychology that focuses on a patient's ability to fight adversity. The difficulties encountered in clearly defining the processes associated with this subjective feeling of growth following recovery raise doubts concerning the real or illusory nature of the phenomenon and its adaptative value. This paper explains why cancer may be different than other traumas and why PTG may interact with this ecology of circumstances in different ways. Difficulty in identifying a single stressor, the internal source of the event, cancer as a future, ongoing and chronic integration threat, and greater perceived control differences between cancer and others traumas. This review brings together the latest studies of PTG in cancer, and focuses in the debate of the real or illusory nature of the PTG and his adaptative value. The ongoing threat, uncertainty and vulnerability associated with cancer are the variables that have been related most consistently with PTG and tend to confuse the relationship between PTG and emotional well-being, too.     

Advancing Uterine Cancer Survivorship Among African American Women

Background

Few studies have examined health behavior interventions for African American women who are uterine cancer survivors. Black-white differences in uterine cancer survival suggest that there are unmet needs among these survivors.

Posttraumatic growth in accident survivors: openness and optimism as predictors of its constructive or illusory sides

Posttraumatic growth (PTG), the phenomenon of self-reported positive outcomes of trauma, is assumed to consist of two sides: a constructive and an illusory side. This study investigates the relationship between PTG and its possible illusory and constructive predictors, as well as the moderating role of posttraumatic stress disorder (PTSD) severity. One-hundred two motor vehicle accident (MVA) survivors with full, subsyndromal, and without PTSD were assessed by multiple psychometric measures targeting PTSD severity, posttraumatic growth, optimism, and openness to experience. Hierarchical regression analysis yielded differential interaction effects between PTSD severity and optimism, as well as openness facets pointing to the moderating role of PTSD severity in the prediction of an illusory and a constructive factor in PTG.     

Dietary decision-making in Chinese breast cancer survivors: A qualitative study

ObjectiveTo explore the dietary practices and decision-making process among Chinese breast cancer (BCA) survivors.MethodsUsing a grounded theory approach, this qualitative study involved individual semi-structured interviews with 30 BCA survivors. All interviews were audio-recorded and transcribed verbatim for analysis.ResultsMost of the participants reported making long-term diet modification. Key themes were grouped into three stages: (1) Motivation, (2) Diet modification, and (3) Maintenance. Most participants reported to be motivated by cancer causal attributions formulated through the evaluation of past dietary habits. Others embarked on changes out of compliance to social expectations. BCA survivors interviewed were willing to make trade-offs for health, but also influenced by peer and traditional Chinese beliefs. The lack of awareness of dietary guidelines was a crucial barrier to adopting healthy eating. Lastly, maintenance of newly formed dietary habits was reinforced by positive feedback but hindered by a lack of both self-efficacy and social support.ConclusionsWhile the majority of BCA survivors expressed willingness to improve their diets, changes made were often inconsistent with existing dietary recommendations.Practice implicationsFuture interventions may target factors at different decision-making stages: guiding evaluation of past diet, building self-efficacy and giving approval to encourage maintenance of healthy dietary behaviors.     

Communities Healing And Transforming Trauma (CHATT): A Trauma-Informed Speakers’ Bureau for Survivors of Violence

ABSTRACT

There is increasing recognition of the value of consumer participation in advocacy and community activism. Among trauma survivors, finding a sense of purpose and a way to make meaning from the trauma experience has been termed “survivor mission,” and may include a call to social action, involvement in social justice activities, or public speaking. The current study describes the development of a trauma-informed trauma-survivor speakers’ bureau (CHATT) and presents quantitative and qualitative outcome findings. The CHATT program encompasses (1) a speaker training component, (2) public speaking activities, and (3) speaking support groups. Trauma survivors (N = 27) who received trauma mental health (MH) services and were in the later stages of recovery completed the two-part seven-hour speaker training and subsequently presented talks at 13 venues to 192 audience members during a three-year study period. Speakers completed baseline measures prior to the training, and follow-up measures at six months and one year to assess posttraumatic growth (PTG) and self-efficacy. Audience members completed an assessment of change in beliefs about key speaker advocacy goals, as well as emotional reactions and satisfaction with talks. Results revealed PTG and speaking self-efficacy increased for speakers after one-year post-training. Audience ratings of talks averaged in the high range except for one domain. Ratings differed by audience type and number of speakers, and increased as the program matured. Key speaker advocacy successes including state policy changes, limitations, and implications for future research and development are discussed.     

Actual change and inaccurate recall contribute to posttraumatic growth following radiotherapy

People with cancer often report that they experience personal growth as a result of the disease, but such reports have unclear validity. Some suggest such growth results from Rogers's (1951) hypothesized organismic valuing process (OVP), an innate tendency for people to gravitate toward well-being; others suggest this growth may be a positive illusion resulting from temporal self-comparisons. To test these conceptualizations, the authors examined 83 individuals with Stages 0-III breast or prostate cancer. Patients completed measures of positive attributes and personal life goals before radiotherapy (Time 1) and after radiotherapy (Time 2). At Time 2, participants also attempted to recreate their Time 1 responses and completed a posttraumatic growth (PTG) measure. PTG was significantly related with actual increases (but not perceived increases) in the relative importance of intrinsic goals versus extrinsic goals and with perceived increases (but not actual increases) in positive attributes. These measures were unrelated to one another and thus explained unique variance in PTG. Data suggest that both actual change processes related to the OVP and biases in autobiographic recall may independently contribute to PTG reports.     

Comparative Analysis of the Psychosocial Symptoms and Experiences of Bereaved Parents and Parents of Children Who Survived the Sewol Ferry Accident After 5 Years: A Qualitative Interview Study

BackgroundThis study aimed to investigate the psychosocial symptoms and experiences of bereaved parents of victims and parents of survivors of the Sewol Ferry accident five years after the accident.MethodsIn-depth interviews of 186 bereaved parents of victims or survivors of the Sewol Ferry accident were conducted. We elicited and categorized meaning units relevant to the psychological, cognitive, and physical traits of the participants from these interviews. Differences in responses between bereaved parents and survivors’ parents and between genders were examined using frequency analyses and χ² tests.ResultsData were organized under seven headings: observed attitude and impression of participants, difficulties due to mental health problems, difficulties due to physical pain, difficulties in relationships, negative changes following the incident, positive changes following the incident, and help needed. Within these headings, 27 themes, 60 sub-themes, and 80 meaning units were elicited.ConclusionThis study explored the psychiatric, physical, and relational problems reported by bereaved parents and those of survivors as well as major changes in their personal and social lives after the Sewol Ferry accident. Differences in responses according to gender were also identified. The results from this study could inform and facilitate the implementation of intervention measures, such as long-term psychological evaluation, to bereaved parents of victims or survivors of disasters.     

Cardiovascular risk and communication among early stage breast cancer survivors

ObjectiveAfrican American (AA) women have disproportionately high rates of cardiovascular (CV) risk factors that, coupled with potentially cardiotoxic breast cancer (BC) therapies, place them at risk of adverse CV outcomes. The purpose of this study was to assess CV risk factors among white and AA BC survivors and perceptions of patient-provider CV-related communication and post-treatment information needs.MethodsEarly-stage, English-speaking BC survivors were recruited through community-based survivorship organizations/clinics in New Jersey. Qualitative, semi-structured interviews and a brief survey of socio-demographics and comorbidities were conducted.ResultsBC survivors reported high rates of CV risk factors. Most reported their health as good/excellent despite their cancer history and CV risk profile. Approximately half of overweight/obese BC survivors reported no weight-related conversation with their health care team and, among those who reported discussion, 36% indicated it was self-initiated and dismissed. More than half of BC survivors’ reported a desire for lifestyle-related information and guidance.ConclusionBC survivors may not understand how their separate, yet cumulative, health issues can impact their CV risk.Practice implicationsPatient-provider communication on behavioral risk factor modification and CV risk is needed, particularly among at-risk subgroups such as AA and obese BC survivors, to improve BC and CV outcomes.     

Identity and meaning in the experience of cancer: three narrative themes

The purpose of this qualitative study was to explore the experiences of three women breast-cancer survivors and the associated experiences of their partners. Individual in-depth interviews were conducted using a narrative approach, and the six accounts were analysed using the grounded theory method. The results describe the marked variation in the meaning of the experience among the participants, and the perceived change in each woman's identity from prior to her cancer diagnosis to the time of the interview. The findings are presented in three sections: (1) Three Narrative Themes, the themes, Back to 'Normal', Rebirth and Turning Point, that represent the perceived change in each woman's identity; (2) The Construction of Meaning, the shared characteristics that relate to meaning construction and identity; (3) Integration, the integration in each self-narrative of past and present self-understandings. The findings are compared with the existing literature, and the implications of different interpretations of self and change in the cancer experience are discussed. The limitations of the study are discussed with recommendations for future research.