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Meaning-making intervention during breast or colorectal cancer treatment improves self-esteem, optimism, and self-efficacy

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  • Lee, Virginia
  • Robin Cohen, S.
  • Edgar, Linda
  • Laizner, Andrea M.
  • Gagnon, Anita J.

Abstract

Existential issues often accompany a diagnosis of cancer and remain one aspect of psychosocial oncology care for which there is a need for focused, empirically tested interventions. This study examined the efficacy of a novel psychological intervention specifically designed to address existential issues through the use of meaning-making coping strategies on psychological adjustment to cancer. Eighty-two breast or colorectal cancer patients were randomly chosen to receive routine care (control group) or up to four sessions that explored the meaning of the emotional responses and cognitive appraisals of each individual's cancer experience within the context of past life events and future goals (experimental group). This paper reports the results from 74 patients who completed and returned pre- and post-test measures for self-esteem, optimism, and self-efficacy. After controlling for baseline scores, the experimental group participants demonstrated significantly higher levels of self-esteem, optimism, and self-efficacy compared to the control group. The results are discussed in light of the theoretical and clinical implications of meaning-making coping in the context of stress and illness.

Suggested Citation

  • Lee, Virginia & Robin Cohen, S. & Edgar, Linda & Laizner, Andrea M. & Gagnon, Anita J., 2006. "Meaning-making intervention during breast or colorectal cancer treatment improves self-esteem, optimism, and self-efficacy," Social Science & Medicine, Elsevier, vol. 62(12), pages 3133-3145, June.
    • Handle: RePEc:eee:socmed:v:62:y:2006:i:12:p:3133-3145
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    References listed on IDEAS

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    1. Gotay, Carolyn Cook, 1985. "Why me? Attributions and adjustment by cancer patients and their mates at two stages in the disease process," Social Science & Medicine, Elsevier, vol. 20(8), pages 825-831, January.
    2. Neuling, Sandra J. & Winefield, Helen R., 1988. "Social support and recovery after surgery for breast cancer: Frequency and correlates of supportive behaviours by family, friends and surgeon," Social Science & Medicine, Elsevier, vol. 27(4), pages 385-392, January.
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    Cited by:

    1. Bo-Wen Chen & Wei-Jie Gong & Agnes Yuen-Kwan Lai & Shirley Man-Man Sit & Sai-Yin Ho & Man-Ping Wang & Nancy Xiaonan Yu & Tai-Hing Lam, 2022. "Patterns of Perceived Harms and Benefits of the COVID-19 Outbreak in Hong Kong Adults: A Latent Profile Analysis," IJERPH, MDPI, vol. 19(7), pages 1-12, April.
    2. Zhao, Haiyan & Li, Xiaofei & Zhou, Jianxiang & Nie, Qingqing & Zhou, Jianhua, 2020. "The relationship between bullying victimization and online game addiction among Chinese early adolescents: The potential role of meaning in life and gender differences," Children and Youth Services Review, Elsevier, vol. 116(C).
    3. Scott Sonenshein & Utpal Dholakia, 2012. "Explaining Employee Engagement with Strategic Change Implementation: A Meaning-Making Approach," Organization Science, INFORMS, vol. 23(1), pages 1-23, February.
    4. Timothy B Smith & Connor Workman & Caleb Andrews & Bonnie Barton & Matthew Cook & Ryan Layton & Alexandra Morrey & Devin Petersen & Julianne Holt-Lunstad, 2021. "Effects of psychosocial support interventions on survival in inpatient and outpatient healthcare settings: A meta-analysis of 106 randomized controlled trials," PLOS Medicine, Public Library of Science, vol. 18(5), pages 1-25, May.
    5. Kernan, William David & Lepore, Stephen J., 2009. "Searching for and making meaning after breast cancer: Prevalence, patterns, and negative affect," Social Science & Medicine, Elsevier, vol. 68(6), pages 1176-1182, March.
    6. Kenji Noguchi, 2020. "The Meaning Frame Theory: Meaning Arises with Reference Points," Journal of Happiness Studies, Springer, vol. 21(8), pages 3121-3141, December.
    7. Coleman-Brueckheimer, Kate & Spitzer, Joseph & Koffman, Jonathan, 2009. "Involvement of Rabbinic and communal authorities in decision-making by haredi Jews in the UK with breast cancer: An interpretative phenomenological analysis," Social Science & Medicine, Elsevier, vol. 68(2), pages 323-333, January.

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