Meaning-based intervention programs applied to people diagnosed with cancer: A systematic review

Year 2023, Volume: 7 Issue: 3, 468 - 494, 25.12.2023

Selva Ülbe , Gülay Dirik

https://doi.org/10.57127/kpd.26024438m0000104

Abstract

In recent years, various meaning-based intervention programs aiming not only to reduce the negative psychological symptoms experienced by people diagnosed with cancer but also to enrich their lives by connecting with their sources of meaning and values in life, have been developed. The aim of the present study was to systematically examine the characteristics and outcomes of interventions that focus directly on developing a sense of meaning and purpose in life in people diagnosed with cancer. In this context, a systematic literature review was conducted using six electronic databases, namely PsycINFO, MEDLINE, CINAHL Complete, PubMed, Scopus, and Web of Science. As a result of the literature search conducted between 2000 and 2022, 20 studies including 14 different intervention programs focusing on meaning-making and meaning in life for people diagnosed with cancer were identified. The sample of the studies in the review consisted mostly of women, middle-aged and older people diagnosed with advanced cancer. Breast and lung cancer is the most common type of cancer in the articles in this review. The majority of the studies in the review were theoretically influenced by Viktor Frankl's studies and adopted the existential approach in psychotherapy. When the effects of meaning-based interventions were evaluated, it was found that they are highly effective in improving the sense of meaning, quality of life, and spiritual well-being. It was also thought to have relatively positive effects on anxiety, depression, emotional distress, optimism, and hopelessness levels. Because of these effects, it could be said that meaning-focused interventions are a promising approach both in answering the questions of people diagnosed with cancer about meaning and existence and in reducing their emotional distress. On the other hand, new studies using a more rigorous research methodology are needed to make more comprehensive conclusions about meaning-focused interventions.

Keywords

cancer, meaning, interventions, systematic review

Ethical Statement

It is not a study that requires Ethics Committee approval.

Supporting Institution

This study was supported by TUBITAK 2211-A program.

Kanser tanısı almış kişilere uygulanan anlam temelli müdahale programları: Sistematik bir derleme

Abstract

Son yıllarda kanser tanısı almış kişilerin sadece yaşadıkları psikolojik sıkıntıları azaltmayı değil, aynı zamanda kişilerin yaşamdaki anlam kaynaklarını ve değerlerini belirleyerek yaşamlarını zenginleştirmeyi amaçlayan çeşitli anlam temelli müdahale programları geliştirilmiştir. Mevcut çalışmanın amacı, kanser tanısı alan kişilerde doğrudan yaşamda anlam ve amaç bulmaya ve geliştirmeye odaklanan müdahalelerin özelliklerini ve sonuçlarını sistematik olarak incelemektir. Bu kapsamda PsycInfo, MEDLINE, CINAHL Complete, PubMed, Scopus ve Web of Science olmak üzere toplamda altı elektronik veri tabanı kullanılarak sistematik bir alanyazın taraması yapılmıştır. 2000-2022 yılları arasını içerecek şekilde yapılan tarama sonucunda kanser tanısı almış kişiler için anlam yaratmaya ve yaşamda anlam duygusuna odaklanan 14 farklı müdahale programını içeren 20 çalışmaya ulaşılmıştır. Derlemede yer alan araştırmaların örneklemini çoğunlukla kadın, orta yaş ve üzeri olan ve ileri evre kanser tanısı alan kişiler oluşturmuştur. Meme ve akciğer kanseri bu derlemedeki araştırmalarda en çok yer alan kanser türleridir. Derlemeye dâhil edilen çalışmaların çoğunluğunun kuramsal olarak Viktor Frankl’ın çalışmalarından etkilendiği ve psikoterapide varoluşsal yaklaşımı benimsedikleri tespit edilmiştir. Anlam temelli müdahale programlarının etkileri değerlendirildiğinde ise yapılan müdahalelerin kişilerin anlam duygularını, yaşam kalitelerini ve spiritüel iyi oluş düzeylerini iyileştirmede büyük oranda etkili olduğu belirlenmiştir. Ayrıca katılımcıların kaygı, depresyon, duygusal sıkıntı, iyimserlik ve umutsuzluk düzeyleri üzerinde görece olumlu etkileri olduğu görülmüştür. Bu etkilerinden dolayı anlam odaklı müdahalelerin kanser tanısı almış kişilerin hem anlam ve varoluşla ilgili sorularına cevap vermede hem de duygusal sıkıntılarını azaltmada umut verici bir yaklaşım olduğu söylenebilir. Diğer taraftan anlam odaklı müdahalelere ilişkin daha kapsamlı çıkarımlar yapabilmek için daha titiz araştırma yöntemleri kullanan yeni çalışmalara ihtiyaç duyulmaktadır.

Keywords

kanser, anlam, müdahaleler, sistematik derleme

Ethical Statement

Etik Kurul onayı gerektiren bir çalışma değildir.

Supporting Institution

Bu çalışma TÜBİTAK 2211-A Yurt İçi Doktora Burs programı kapsamında desteklemiştir.

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