ur purpose in conducting this study was to collect information about the quality of life and psychosocial adjustment of young patients after the treatment of bone cancer. We conceptualized psychosocial quality of life as consisting of both subjective perceptions and objective conditions, and we designed the study with the use of preexisting reference groups. The selected measures—psychological tests, questionnaires, and interviews—were intended to cover the most impor- tant characteristics of these patients as well as focus on their particular problems.
We assessed a series of variables indicating psy- chosocial adjustment and reduced the data with the use of factor analyses to four principle dimensions: emotional well-being, social well-being, love life, and subjective capabilities. Approximately 80% of patients appeared psychosocially well adjusted. The authors of a comparable study of bone cancer patients reported a similar finding.
2
The applied measure, namely, the
“global adjustment to illness” scale, identified psycho- social maladjustment in only 12% of patients, whereas
88% had at the very most minor psychosocial prob- lems. On the other hand, 59% of the childhood cancer survivors examined by Koocher and O’Malley exhib- ited symptoms of depression, anxiety, self-esteem problems, or fluctuations in mood.
4
However, it is debatable whether these results are still
Poverty also influences our responses to health and illness. The level of income below that which people cannot afford a minimum, nutritionally adequate diet, suitable and secure housing, heating and hot water, and beds to sleep on.
Carr, B. (2013). Psychological aspects of cancer: A guide to emotional and psychological consequences of cancer, their causes and their management. New York: Springer.
The idea for enforcing quality-of-life infractions was given a name in 1982 when James Q. Wilson and George Kelling wrote a highly influential article in The Atlantic Monthly about “broken windows” (Wilson and Kelling, 1982). The central theme that Wilson and Kelling expounded was that if minor incidents of disorder were dealt with, that would prevent more serious incidents in the future. But Maple didn’t buy this theory. His thinking was that if enforcement of minor disorders and infractions were to make a difference in terms of crime reduction, it had to be supported by a larger strategy. He referred to the broader strategy as “quality-of-life Plus” (Maple and Mitchell, 1999, p. 155). He came up with the “plus” part of the strategy, and
Ph.D. degree acquired authors, Ronald L. Blount, Ronald T. Brown, and Natalie C. Frank, conducted a study focused on predictors of the overall psychological adjustment in children who are battling cancer. They concentrated on anxiety and depression levels and how the child externalizes behavior. There were 83 children who participated in this study of ages ranging from 7 to 18 years. After obtaining parental and child consent, the researchers proceeded to give each
Throughout history, discrimination has made an impact on society and affected people’s behavior. Taking place in a small Alabama county during the 1930’s, Harper Lee’s novel To Kill a Mockingbird largely describes how discrimination and hatred was a huge problem in society told in a young girl named Scout’s point of view. Throughout the story, she learns about the negative effects on colored people with discrimination and racism going on. The effects of discrimination and racism throughout the story resulted in erroneous behavior by others.
Multiple epidemiological and psychological studies have investigated the relationship between psychological factors and the progression of cancer. Lack of social support, trauma history, depression, and distress and the most commonly cited psychological processes when looking at cancer outcomes. A meta-analysis conducted by Pinquart and Duberstein (2010) examined the association between social support and cancer progression and found that higher levels of perceived social support, having a larger social network, and being married decreased the mortality rate by 25%, 20% and 12% respectively. In contrast studies done on depression, stress, and trauma have consistently found them to
The current case study provides a description of a 9-week outpatient intervention protocol that was used to help increase quality of life and decrease symptoms of anxiety and depression in a 16-year old female being treated for cancer. The adolescent and young adult cancer population has been identified as a patient group that is particularly vulnerable to psychosocial distress, due to the arrest of developmental milestones that typically occur during this life phase. As such, the development and dissemination of evidence-based psychosocial supports for this group of cancer patients is needed.
NSM fits the need of the PICO project through the interpretation of concepts and the dynamic nature of stressors and reactions to the basic structure (patient and/or family). A key component in utilization of the NSM for screening psychological distress after oncology care, is self-report of the instability of transition to a new lifestyle. Cancer-related psychological distress is widespread (Hoffman, 2012). The distress can remain hidden as priorities in cancer rehabilitation and family adjustment take place. The initial stressor of the cancer diagnosis creates a change in the patient and/or family (basic structure functioning and energy resources), however after cancer treatment (variables), the client system (patient and/or family) still is adjusting to change (lines of resistance). Patients and families may not go back to their prior life (environment) but transition into a “new
Adolescents diagnosed with cancer face many challenges. A diagnosis of cancer for an adolescent is difficult not only because of the cancer and everything that goes along with it, but also because of the unique aspects of social and psychological development that they are experiencing in this time of their life. Adolescence is difficult enough without the added difficulties of a cancer diagnosis. Evidence suggests that people who undergo cancer treatment as teenagers and young adults experience greater difficulties adjusting than their peers. For example, survivors often experience challenges with social relationships and mental health, are less likely to attend college, and less likely to attain gainful
“...time and place[setting] are the basic elements of a novel that give readers a vivid mental picture of the world your characters move in”(Novel). This quote explains the importance of setting and the difference it can have in a great book or a less-than book. Setting is one of the few absolutely, necessary elements in a novel. Setting can make a world of difference in a great book. Setting is also one of the most complicated, and difficult to perfect, components in a story. There are several factors that contribute to a superb setting, such as wording, mood, and the story support.
In light that a considerable number of survivors of pediatric cancer do not experience marked disease burden including other psychological factors that is not evident until their adolescence and mid adult years, it is critical to understand their plight in order to create strategies to enable them to have better lives. Cancer is an impending problem currently with nearly all families having interacted with or are related to individuals who have experienced these problems. In light of the increase in childhood cancer, it is critical to equip families and individuals for the implication of the problem socially and culturally, the problem of reintegrating the individuals who have suffered childhood cancer back into the community or even the learning circles is a difficult task. The ability to understand the basis of the problem will enable everybody to have the knowledge of why it is difficult and help in the integration
There are numerous factors contributing to psychological distress in cancer survivorship. Each factor or group of factors influence the cancer survivor individualistically, and the family collectively. The focus of the PICO is the cancer survivor and their family transitioning back to primary care. For this project, the family can be a patient, spouse or significant other, and family unit as the research focus. The emphasis on cancer survivorship and the psychological distress after treatment regimen, occurs when patients and their family unit must modify into a “new normal” of daily life. The NCCN’s validity of the DT instrument is rich in research however, this screening instrument is not in use when the patient shifts back to primary care contrary to research discussions expressing the need for continuity of use after transition.
Cancer has one of the biggest effects on the patients mental health but also the patients loved ones and friends. It is one of the hardest things to get a grip on when the doctor tells someone that they have cancer and a fifty-fifty chance of making it. "The disease can bring many changes-in what people do and how they look, in how they feel and what they value" (Dakota 4). It makes people look at the world and their lives in a different way, valuing now what they took for granted and seeing the bigger picture in every scenario. It is something that no one can actually brace, even after the doctor tells them. Through it all though, the person must remain strong and optimistic because the cancer can affect the person's moods and in return affect the outcome of the person and the chances of their making it
“A persons quality of life is impacted from the beginning of the oncology experience, during which he or she encounters many unplanned, life altering events” (Drake). For many, quality of life means to enjoy normal life activities such as: shopping, driving, and working. Cancer can impair this ability to enjoy that normal lifestyle. Christopher Cordaro II, a close friend of my family, is a perfect example of how a person’s life can change over night. Chris was diagnosed with stage IV neuroendocrine carcinoma in September of 2015. He went from being a very active and athletic person who thoroughly enjoyed his job with the New Orleans Saints to someone who’s prognosis was not longer than a couple of months. Within days of his diagnosis he was given a very aggressive round of chemotherapy with a second round to follow three weeks later. Chris found himself not able to enjoy some of the activities he was passionate about and not able to go to work and do the job he loved, which was hard for him to cope with. Often times a person who receives chemo will have certain side effects that will alter their life, but will fade as
Attitudes will influence the way we maintain our psychological well-being. This may lead us to use complementary and alternative medicine (CAM), a diverse set of health practises that fall beyond the scope of traditional medicine (TM; Barnett, Shale, Elkins & Fisher, 2014). Specifically, an attitude of distrust towards TM in maintaining psychological well-being may lead us to try this. In Victoria, it has been found that 52% of people currently use it, whilst life-time use rates are 85% (Robinson, Chesters & Cooper, 2007). Simultaneously, mental health remains comparatively foreign within TM practices (Bazzan, Zabrecky, Montie & Newberg, 2014). Thus research into what people high or low in psychological well-being is important.