Dataset Information

It's not fine: A photo-elicitation study of rectal cancer survivors' emotions and coping strategies.

ABSTRACT:

Background

Comprehensive cancer care includes supporting the psychological health of survivors who are at high risk of distress. However, little is known about the emotional experiences of rectal cancer survivors specifically. We sought to explore psychological well-being and coping strategies utilized by rectal cancer survivors.

Methods

Twenty rectal cancer survivors shared photographs of their post-treatment experiences. In follow-up interviews, participants discussed photographs' meanings and emotional experiences during their cancer journey. Transcribed interviews were analyzed using iterative steps of inductive thematic analysis.

Results

Emotions ranged from sadness to anxiety and fear of cancer recurrence. Coping mechanisms were grouped into 3 categories: (1) seeking support and information; (2) focus on attitudes and perspectives; and (3) distancing strategies.

Conclusion

Our results highlight the persistent psychological impact of rectal cancer and need for additional support for survivors. Providers may help temper patients' fear of recurrence by explicitly discussing prognosis and risk of recurrence. Although multidisciplinary survivorship clinics are ideal, all cancer care providers and primary care physicians should feel empowered to screen for psychological distress and refer patients to appropriate resources when needed.

SUBMITTER: Rivard SJ

PROVIDER: S-EPMC10400270 | biostudies-literature | 2022 Jun

REPOSITORIES: biostudies-literature

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Publications

It's not fine: A photo-elicitation study of rectal cancer survivors' emotions and coping strategies.

Rivard Samantha J SJ Vitous C Ann CA Bamdad Michaela C MC Lussiez Alisha A Anderson Maia S MS Varlamos Christopher C Duby Ashley A Suwanabol Pasithorn A PA

Surgery 20211231 6

<h4>Background</h4>Comprehensive cancer care includes supporting the psychological health of survivors who are at high risk of distress. However, little is known about the emotional experiences of rectal cancer survivors specifically. We sought to explore psychological well-being and coping strategies utilized by rectal cancer survivors.<h4>Methods</h4>Twenty rectal cancer survivors shared photographs of their post-treatment experiences. In follow-up interviews, participants discussed photograph ...[more]

PMID: 34974916

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Project description:ImportanceAdolescents frequently encounter racism vicariously through online news and social media and may experience negative emotional responses due to these exposures. To mitigate potential adverse health impacts, including negative emotional health, it is important to understand how adolescents cope with these exposures.ObjectivesTo examine adolescents' responses to online and media-based vicarious racism exposure and to explore coping strategies, particularly positive coping strategies, that may be used to combat negative emotions.Design, setting, and participantsThis qualitative study rooted in phenomenological research methods conducted 4 semistructured focus groups, with 3 to 6 English-speaking adolescents (aged 13-19 years) in each group, between November 2018 and April 2019. Focus groups were facilitated by 2 research team members. The study was conducted at community sites and youth organizations in the greater Chicago, Illinois, area. Interview transcripts were analyzed thematically.ExposuresLived experiences of media-based vicarious racism.Main outcomes and measuresFocus group participants shared their experiences with media-based vicarious racism online, including their responses to exposure and the coping strategies used.ResultsFour focus group sessions were conducted with a total of 18 adolescents. Participants had a mean (SD) age of 16.4 (1.6) years. Overall, 7 participants (39%) self-identified as Black/African American, 8 (44%) as Hispanic/Latinx, and 3 (17%) as White individuals; 7 (39%) were in grades 7 to 9, 8 (44%) in grades 10 to 12 grade, and 3 (17%) at the college or university level. Central themes emerged related to adolescents' experiences, including their emotional and coping responses to media-based vicarious racism. Many participants reported helplessness as a major negative emotion associated with these exposures. Activism was endorsed as a key positive coping strategy that participants used, including online and in-person modalities.Conclusions and relevanceThe findings from this qualitative study suggest adolescents may experience helplessness as a primary negative emotion after exposure to media-based vicarious racism and activism may serve as a coping mechanism. Activism may represent an important and constructive means by which adolescents cope with and combat structural racism, mitigate negative emotions, and potentially prevent adverse health effects.

Project description:AimDue to the changes of bowel physiological structure and functional disorders after rectal cancer surgery, patients will face many bowel dysfunction for a long time, which will greatly affect their quality of life. The purpose of this review is to integrate the qualitative research on the experience of bowel dysfunction and coping strategies in postoperative patients with rectal cancer.MethodsSystematic retrieval of PubMed, EMbase, Cochrane Library, CINAHL, Web of Sciences, PsycINFO, Willey and other databases was carried out by using the method of subject words and keywords. The Critical Appraisal Skill Programme (CASP) Qualitative Studies Checklist was used for Qualitative assessment. The findings were extracted from the included study and synthesized into the final themes, which was evaluated strictly in accordance with the ConQual process.ResultsNine studies involving 345 participants were included and two main themes were extracted: "Experience a series of changes caused by bowel dysfunction" and "nmet needs and coping strategies facing bowel dysfunction". The changes of rectal cancer patients who experience bowel dysfunction after operation mainly include three parts: bowel dysfunction is more than just a bowel reaction, which covers the bowel symptoms themselves and the subsequent body-related symptoms. The interruption of a normal life, mainly reflected in personal, family, and social life. Complex psychological reactions to bowel dysfunction, psychological changes have a dual nature, showing a positive and negative intertwined. There are two main aspects of unmet needs and coping strategies: the demand is mainly manifested in the need for information and support from medical professionals, while the coping strategy mainly includes diet, activity and drug management.ConclusionRectal cancer patient often experience persistent bowel dysfunction after operation, which has a certain physical and mental effects. A series of new needs of postoperative patients are often not fully met, and patients often rely on their own empirical attempts to seek balance, less can get professional support. Future studies need to focus on how to provide continuous information support for postoperative rectal cancer patients, especially professional care from health care staff.

Dataset Information

It's not fine: A photo-elicitation study of rectal cancer survivors' emotions and coping strategies.

Background

Methods

Results

Conclusion

Publications

It's not fine: A photo-elicitation study of rectal cancer survivors' emotions and coping strategies.

Similar Datasets

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