The Healing and Protective Factors in relation to Recovery and Survivorship of Cancer patients: An Interpretative Phenomenology Approach
Keywords:
cancer, survivor, context, coping, caregivingAbstract
Purpose: This paper's goal as an Interpretative Phenomenological Analysis (IPA) is to present a comprehensive knowledge of protective and healing factors along with the personality traits predicting recovery and survivorship in cancer patients. The study will also investigate if the Family Ecology Model may be applied to the setting of sickness and health by identifying the personal and environmental elements that influence adolescent and adult experiences. Methodology: Three adult females who participated in semi-structured interviews and underwent Interpretative Phenomenology Interviews are the subject of this analysis. Cancer survivorship is an utmost concern for individuals, and their setting can either help or hurt them. Results: Analysis results showed the following seven sub-themes: Protective factors towards the illness and turmoil, Healing factors during the cancer trajectory, Positive personality traits as predictors of recovery and survivorship, Family Structure, Social Support, Experiencing Cancer in developmentally transitioning life phases, and the long term effects of Cancer. Findings: This study discovered that, from an ecological standpoint, the nature and value of interpersonal connections impact coping and adjustment in cancer survivorship experiences. To be a survivor of such a long term illness such as cancer and to bore its impact on wellbeing, prosperity and quality of life can be a matter of great concern and challenge for any individual. This is also because each person is ought to have their own course of developmental concerns and stages. In future, further research can reap benefits from an accommodating ecological perspective to better comprehend and understand the experiences of adolescents and young adults who may be more vulnerable and in need of additional support. This research is not generalizable, but it offers a very thorough insight of how cancer affects people's quality of life and developmental trajectory. Additionally, it highlights how the intricacy of their environment may work as a risk or a safeguard factor during this period of multiple and sudden changes. Implications: The study will contribute in the understanding of the psychosocial issues which contribute in determining the prognosis of the patient in the survivorship phase. These essential factors have not been explored in research in the Indian context and therefore the present the study was designed. Understanding the intricate interactions and dependencies between the environment and the survivors in a chaotic scenario such as the long term illness ‘Cancer’, the Family Ecological Model would prove to be a good fit in providing a comprehensive outlook.
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