‘It made me think a little different’ a qualitative study of young adult cancer survivors’ experiences of cognitive therapy in cancer rehabilitation.

1May Aasebø Hauken and Linda Viken

1Center for Crisis Psychology, Fortunen 7, 5013 Bergen, NORWAY.

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Abstract:

Young adult cancer survivors (YACS) have increased risk for psychosocial late-effects. Cognitive therapy (CT) aims to enhance coping in survivorship, but research of CT interventions and how YACS experience these lacks. This study’s aim was to explore YACS’ experiences of CT in a rehabilitation program. A phenomenological- hermeneutical design was used, including semi-structured interviews of 17 YACS who completed a rehabilitation program. Two main themes and three corresponding subthemes emerged: The first theme, «CT as a tool», was elaborated by the subthemes «education and practicing», «follow-up» and «internalization». The second theme, «the perceived usefulness of CT» was clarified by the three subthemes «changed thought patterns», «insight and acceptance » and «handling a new life-situation». The participants experienced CT as a useful tool in their rehabilitation process that changed their thought patterns and helped them getting insight and acceptance as an important basis to handle their new life-situation.

Keywords:

Young adult cancer survivors, cognitive therapy, cancer rehabilitation, qualitative method

Paper Details
Month6
Year2016
Volume20
IssueIssue 1
Pages27-44