Hispanic Male Cancer Survivors’ Coping Strategies

Cancer survivors manage their new status using a multitude of coping mechanisms. Coping strategies vary by individual, but are also socioculturally mediated. Scarce evidence on coping strategies adopted by Hispanic male cancer survivors (HMCS) is available to date. The purpose of this study was to explore the reaction to diagnosis and subsequent coping strategies employed by HMCS. Data were gathered through focus groups ( n = 18), cognitive interviews ( n = 12), and phone interviews ( n = 84). Coping strategies included positive attitudes, humor, optimism and social support, use of home remedies, lifestyle changes, and faith. Findings are consistent with research on non-cancer-related coping showing that HMCS use active coping strategies, such as religion and support from family and friends. The analysis of existing strategies and needs points to the need to develop evidence-based psychosocial services that build on strengths and coping behaviors already employed by HMCS.

Reaction to diagnosis and subsequent health in mothers of children with autism spectrum disorder

The current study assessed whether reactions to diagnosis are associated with health status for mothers of children with autism spectrum disorder at the time of diagnosis, and whether such diagnostic-reaction resolution status is associated with changes in health status over time. A total of 84 mothers of children newly diagnosed with autism spectrum disorder, with stable reactions to diagnosis over a year, participated. Their perceptions of their physical and psychological functioning, and quality of life, were taken at the time of diagnosis and 1 year later. The mothers were also given the Reaction to Diagnosis Interview. Mothers who had an unresolved reaction to diagnosis had a worse health status in terms of their perception of the physical symptoms at the time of the diagnosis, and showed worsening levels of health over the period of a year, relative to mothers who had a resolved diagnostic status. These relationships were independent of other potential predictors of ill health in this sample. The findings point to the potential of the diagnostic process to negatively impact parental health. Given that this can have negative consequences for child prognosis, as well as parental health, there is a need to develop better understanding of the impacts of diagnostic practices.

Parents’ Experience of Hope When Their Child Has Cancer: Perceived Meaning and the Influence of Health Care Professionals

Objective. This study examined the role and importance of hopefulness for parents of children with cancer, how hope relates to parents’ experience with the diagnosis, and the influence nurses and other health care professionals have on parents’ hope. Method. Using an interview format, 50 parents of children diagnosed with cancer were given the Reaction to Diagnosis Interview, and asked 5 open-ended questions about hope. Answers were analyzed using content analysis. Parents’ adaptation to their child’s diagnosis was compared with answers to the hope questions. Results. Parents defined hope as a knowing, belief, or wish regarding their child’s health. They emphasized the importance of hope over the course of their child’s treatment. Staff increased parents’ hope by providing care to children and families, educating parents, and by connecting with and providing a positive outlook for families. Most parents felt there was nothing staff did to decrease their hope. Conclusion. Understanding parents’ experiences validates the quality care and connections we make with children and families, and encourages us to consider the effects of our interactions. This underscores the importance of education and support as a means of instilling hope in parents, who are valued, critical members of their child’s health care team.

The Effects of Music Therapy on Oncological Patients

The research shows the effects of music therapy on oncological patients. Music therapy is one of the tools that help patients to cope with the stress and improves self-confidence, encourages them to live valuable life. It also has a dramatic effect on quality of life as patients who participate in music therapy sessions start to express their feelings in a more active way and also start to solve their own problems. Moreover, music therapy reduces the level of stress and anxiety in the minds and body, promotes calm state, regulates sleep, stimulates body, improves memory and consciousness. It creates an opportunity for oncological patients to release hidden emotions, express the feelings that are related to the disease, encourages to take an active role in cancer pathway and search for other support sources. The content of this research includes the following problematic question: how has the state of oncological patients changed after participating in music therapy sessions? Research object was the effects of music therapy on oncological patients.The aim of this research was to identify the effects of music therapy on oncological patients. The research has shown that people after hearing cancer diagnosis usually become anti-social - often separate themselves from society, become desolate, move away from favorite activities, also their emotions may become very feeble. The reaction to diagnosis is caused by a very strong psychological trauma that is explained as extreme stress. The fair of death destroys usual, during a lifetime gained stereotypes and changes the system of life values. Also the researched has proved that the patients as a result of music therapy during and after treatment change attitude towards the disease and start to live a meaningful life in a new high quality way that is based on the strengthened faith in God and appreciation of current moment.

Mothers’ resolution of their children’s diagnosis of cerebral palsy

Introduction. The process of adaptation and acceptance of a child?s diagnosis of cerebral palsy requires from parents to process the trauma caused by this knowledge cognitively and emotionally. Parents who manage to come to terms with their children?s condition are labeled as resolved. As opposed to them, unresolved parents do not accept the reality of their children?s condition and fail to overcome the crisis caused by knowledge of the child?s diagnosis. Unresolved status has negative implications for the child, the parents and their relationship. Case Reports. Two case reports of mothers whose children have been diagnosed to have cerebral palsy are given. The first case shows a resolved mother who managed to overcome the initial shock and started to feel a sense of relief from the period when she found out the child?s diagnosis. In contrast, another case shows an unresolved mother with no significant changes in thoughts and feelings from the time since she learned the child?s diagnosis. She was preoccupied with anger and attempted to minimize the child?s problem. Discussion. Interviews on reaction to diagnosis and reaction to diagnosis classification system allow identification of mothers? resolution of their children?s diagnosis of cerebral palsy. The characteristics of resolved and unresolved maternal status are discussed. Conclusion. Parental resolution of diagnosis is essential for the successful adaptation to raising children with disabilities, as well as meeting the requirements of the parental role. It is important to recognize parental cognitions and feelings regarding the child?s condition in order to direct psychotherapeutic interventions towards vulnerable population of parents.