Start Date

16-11-2018 9:00 AM

Abstract

Abstract

Breast cancer is extremely common among women in the United States and has affected the lives of many people. Due to the commonality of the diagnosis, research regarding improvements and treatment options is vast and extensive. Breast cancer has ever increasing survival rates and so the care of breast cancer survivors’ mental health has become a major focus as cancer is a life altering and oftentimes traumatic experience. The intent of the integrative literature review is to describe the overall effectiveness of implementing Post-Traumatic Growth (PTG) interventions in women surviving breast cancer to facilitate positive change. The integrative literature review was done using the conceptual model: Pamela Reed’s Theory of Self-Transcendence. An integrative literature review was conducted because there is a gap in the literature in terms of PTG and breast cancer patients. Major trends discovered in the research were divided into two categories: victim/vulnerability and well-being. Limitations found in the assessment included the inability to consistently quantify the qualitative data. To facilitate well-being aspects of the results, women with breast cancer yearned for a sense of empowerment and control over other aspects in their lives since the diagnosis is out of their control. There are a vast number of implications for nurses working with this population. PTG can be encouraged by enhancing and promoting factors that aid in positive change and transcendence.

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Nov 16th, 9:00 AM

Breast Cancer Patients Post-Traumatic Growth and Positive Change

Abstract

Breast cancer is extremely common among women in the United States and has affected the lives of many people. Due to the commonality of the diagnosis, research regarding improvements and treatment options is vast and extensive. Breast cancer has ever increasing survival rates and so the care of breast cancer survivors’ mental health has become a major focus as cancer is a life altering and oftentimes traumatic experience. The intent of the integrative literature review is to describe the overall effectiveness of implementing Post-Traumatic Growth (PTG) interventions in women surviving breast cancer to facilitate positive change. The integrative literature review was done using the conceptual model: Pamela Reed’s Theory of Self-Transcendence. An integrative literature review was conducted because there is a gap in the literature in terms of PTG and breast cancer patients. Major trends discovered in the research were divided into two categories: victim/vulnerability and well-being. Limitations found in the assessment included the inability to consistently quantify the qualitative data. To facilitate well-being aspects of the results, women with breast cancer yearned for a sense of empowerment and control over other aspects in their lives since the diagnosis is out of their control. There are a vast number of implications for nurses working with this population. PTG can be encouraged by enhancing and promoting factors that aid in positive change and transcendence.