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Posttraumatic growth after cancer: the importance of health-related benefits and newfound compassion for others
Citation
Morris, BA and Shakespeare-Finch, J and Scott, JL, Posttraumatic growth after cancer: the importance of health-related benefits and newfound compassion for others, Supportive Care in Cancer, 20, (4) pp. 749-756. ISSN 1433-7339 (2012) [Refereed Article]
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Copyright Statement
Copyright 2011 Springer-Verlag
DOI: doi:10.1007/s00520-011-1143-7
Abstract
Purpose:: There is growing evidence in psycho-oncology that people can experience posttraumatic growth (PTG), or positive life change, in addition to the distress that may occur after a cancer diagnosis. Many studies utilise existing PTG measures that were designed for general trauma experiences, such as the Posttraumatic Growth Inventory. However, such inventories may not take into account life changes associated with a crisis specifically in a health-related context.
Method: The current study presents a mixed method exploration of the post-diagnosis experience of cancer survivors (N = 209) approximately 3 years after diagnosis.
Results: Quantitative and qualitative assessment of PTG showed that appreciating life was the most salient area of positive life change for cancer survivors. The results also revealed that in addition to several PTG domains captured by existing quantitative PTG measures, further positive life changes were reported, including compassion for others and health-related life changes.
Conclusions: These domains of PTG highlight the unique context of a cancer diagnosis and the potential underestimation of positive life change by existing inventories. Further research is warranted that is directed towards designing a context-specific PTG measure for cancer survivors.Item Details
Item Type: | Refereed Article |
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Keywords: | posttraumatic growth, cancer, oncology, qualitative, mixed method |
Research Division: | Psychology |
Research Group: | Clinical and health psychology |
Research Field: | Health psychology |
Objective Division: | Health |
Objective Group: | Clinical health |
Objective Field: | Clinical health not elsewhere classified |
UTAS Author: | Morris, BA (Ms Bronwyn Morris) |
UTAS Author: | Scott, JL (Professor Jenn Scott) |
ID Code: | 76429 |
Year Published: | 2012 |
Web of Science® Times Cited: | 50 |
Deposited By: | Psychology |
Deposited On: | 2012-03-06 |
Last Modified: | 2014-12-18 |
Downloads: | 2 View Download Statistics |
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