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Investigating PTG in Cancer Patients: The Role of Time Dimension in the Experience of Personal Growth

Author

Listed:
  • Chiara Fioretti

    (Department of Human, Philosophical and Educational Sciences (DISUFF), University of Salerno, Via Giovanni Paolo II 132, 84084 Fisciano, Italy)

  • Viola Vinciarelli

    (Psycho-Oncology Unit, USL Toscana Centro, Via Antella, 58, 50012 Bagno a Ripoli, Italy)

  • David Faggi

    (Psycho-Oncology Unit, USL Toscana Centro, Via Antella, 58, 50012 Bagno a Ripoli, Italy)

  • Lucia Caligiani

    (Psycho-Oncology Unit, USL Toscana Centro, Via Antella, 58, 50012 Bagno a Ripoli, Italy)

  • Francesca Tessitore

    (Department of Human, Philosophical and Educational Sciences (DISUFF), University of Salerno, Via Giovanni Paolo II 132, 84084 Fisciano, Italy)

  • Gianluca Castelnuovo

    (Department of Psychology, Catholic University of Milan, 20123 Milano, Italy
    Psychology Research Laboratory, Istituto Auxologico Italiano IRCCS, Largo Agostino Gemelli, 1, 20123 Milano, Italy)

  • Mauro Cozzolino

    (Department of Human, Philosophical and Educational Sciences (DISUFF), University of Salerno, Via Giovanni Paolo II 132, 84084 Fisciano, Italy)

Abstract

This study explored the experience of growth related to being a cancer patient by implementing a thematic analysis. An online questionnaire was completed by 69 patients narrating their growth experience related to cancer. Collected narratives were analyzed by running a deductive thematic analysis, starting from the five domains of the Post-Traumatic Growth Inventory (PTGI) and searching for the presence or absence of topics. Descriptive statistics and correlational analysis were performed. The five factors of the PTGI were identified in the narratives. The thematic analysis we performed defined a further theme that we labeled the “time dimension”, which saturated 37.7% of the entire sample. The presences of four sub-themes related to the “time dimension” were also found: “tracing a new temporal rhythm”, “the value of deserved time”, “facing the caducity of life” and “a view on the future”. Each sub-theme significantly correlated with the theme of the “time dimension”. This emergent theme does not correlate in our results with other domains of personal growth in cancer previously described in the scientific literature, emerging as an independent variable not significantly associated with other domains of post-traumatic growth. Our results suggest further investigation in the role of the time dimension in the practical and emotional experience of growth with regard to cancer.

Suggested Citation

  • Chiara Fioretti & Viola Vinciarelli & David Faggi & Lucia Caligiani & Francesca Tessitore & Gianluca Castelnuovo & Mauro Cozzolino, 2022. "Investigating PTG in Cancer Patients: The Role of Time Dimension in the Experience of Personal Growth," IJERPH, MDPI, vol. 19(15), pages 1-12, August.
    • Handle: RePEc:gam:jijerp:v:19:y:2022:i:15:p:9619-:d:880484
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    Cited by:

    1. Benedetta Muzii & Francesco Di Bello & Fabio Carraturo & Tiziana Di Perna & Gianluigi Califano & Simone Morra & Francesco Mangiapia & Cristiano Scandurra & Luigi Giuliani & Giuseppe Celentano & Robert, 2023. "Mental Health of Prostate Cancer Patients: Content Review on YouTube TM," IJERPH, MDPI, vol. 20(6), pages 1-12, March.

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