Bio-psycho-social-spiritual needs of adolescents and young adults with life-threatening illnesses: Implications for social work practice

Awakening the Spiritual Identity in Adolescents With Cancer: A Phenomenological Study

BACKGROUND

Awakening the spiritual identity in adolescents with cancer is a phenomenon that has not been fully explored. Nevertheless, empirical research shows that spirituality is associated with positive health outcomes for adolescents with cancer. This finding indicates that awakening the spiritual identity can serve as a coping mechanism in health contexts.

OBJECTIVE

In this study, we (1) describe the essential structure of the process of awakening the spiritual identity as experienced and perceived by adolescents with cancer and (2) explore factors that facilitate or hinder the process.

METHODS

We used a qualitative empirical phenomenological approach to explore the process of awakening the spiritual identity of adolescents with cancer. Ten adolescents completed a graphing-timeline activity and participated in semistructured interviews. We analyzed the data with an adapted version of Colaizzi's method.

RESULTS

Regarding the process of awakening the spiritual identity, we identified 4 theme categories corresponding to 12 themes. The essential structure of the process is cyclical and ongoing: once a triggering moment initiates the awakening, adolescents navigate it through connectedness with the transcendent while drawing strength from preexisting spiritual foundations and family.

CONCLUSIONS

We reveal the essential structure of the process of awakening the spiritual identity among adolescents with cancer and highlight factors affecting the process.

IMPLICATIONS FOR PRACTICE

Expanding our understanding of the phenomenon of awakening the spiritual identity among adolescents may support nurses in addressing and fostering adolescents' use of spirituality as a coping mechanism during cancer treatment.

Designing for Hope: Biophilic Color Associations and Their Relevance to Clinical Settings

AIM

To consider one common aspect of biophilic design (BD; i.e., color) and its relationship to an important element of well-being (i.e., hope).

BACKGROUND

BD is multifaceted making the identification of critical design elements difficult. Further complexity is introduced given that practice assumptions stemming from the biophilia hypothesis may be questioned. Consistent with the biophilia hypothesis, the author considers the study's findings from the perspectives of evolutionary psychology and psychobiology.

METHODS

One hundred and fifty four adult participants engaged in one of the three experiments. Using colored test cards, Experiment #1 sought to determine which of four biophilic colors (i.e., red, yellow, green, or blue) evoked the strongest experience of hope. Considering this color alone, Experiment #2 sought to manipulate "color depth." Participants were asked to identify what color depth evoked the strongest experience of hope. Experiment #3 sought to determine if the outcomes of Experiments #1 and #2 were due to a priming effect. All participants were asked about color associations they held.

RESULTS

Experiments #1 and #2 demonstrated that yellow at maximal color depth evoked the strongest experience of hope (p < .001). Experiment #3 demonstrated that no priming effect was evident (p < .05). No participant had a strong personal preference for/against yellow. Natural world color associations existed for yellow, green, and blue. Red held emotive associations.

CONCLUSIONS

These findings clearly associate yellow with hope. From the perspectives of evolutionary psychology and psychobiology this suggests color cues can evoke time-dependent motive states. Implications for practitioners designing spaces of hope within healthcare facilities are considered.

Childhood Cancer and the Family: A Pilot Proposal for Comprehensive Intervention at the Time of Diagnosis

Childhood cancer has a great impact on children and their environment. To minimize this, countries such as Canada and the USA have protocols in the field of social work, although these are scarce in Europe and especially in Spain. This paper aims to develop a pilot protocol in Aragon (Spain) for the practice of onco-pediatric social work in one of the hardest moments: the diagnosis. For its elaboration, a previous study was carried out in three phases, which provided data on the disease and its impact on the family and children and a methodological basis for the intervention from social work, all considering the participation of the agents involved as a fundamental element. Variables have been identified that influence the impact on the family support network and its quality of life at the time of diagnosis of childhood cancer. In addition, different indicators have been explored, based on the reality of these families. Finally, a pilot proposal for a comprehensive family intervention protocol in the diagnosis of childhood cancer has been elaborated. This work is intended to be a guide for intervention and delimitation of quality standards to be considered when dealing with the diagnosis of childhood cancer.

A Scoping Review on Biopsychosocial Predictors of Mental Health among Older Adults

This review aims to map the available evidence on biopsychosocial predictors of elderly mental health. The articles were independently screened in three selected databases, namely Pubmed, Proquest and Google Scholar. The stages consist of identifying the research questions, seeking and selecting relevant evidence, mapping data, and concluding and reporting results. The PRISMA flowchart was used to show the PEOS evidence search flow. A total of 23,722 articles were obtained from all databases during the initial search, where 458 titles fulfilled the eligibility criteria at the title screening stage. Furthermore, 383 articles passed through abstract screening, where 75 met the inclusion criteria and were included for full-text screening. Based on the full-text screening stage, 28 articles were excluded and the remaining 47 articles that matched the search process were included for data extraction. This review creates biopsychosocial variables related to the mental health of the elderly. The biological factors consist of age, biomarkers, female, health conditions, chronic diseases, and physical function. Variables related to psychological factors are affect, personality traits, and subjective well-being. Meanwhile, social factors include smoking, sleep quality, physical activity, daily living, social support, marital status, loneliness, religiosity, spirituality, and early life conditions.

Exploring illness identity among children and youth living with cancer: A narrative review

BACKGROUND

Children and youth with cancer may find it challenging to integrate illness into their pre-existing identity-a phenomenon known as illness identity. In this critical narrative review, we explored illness identity among children and youth with cancer.

METHODS

Three academic databases were searched. Twenty-two articles were included in this review and each underwent thematic analysis.

RESULTS

Cancer has both positive and negative influences on the identities of children and youth. Illness identity is expressed creatively through various communicative outlets. Further, external processes such as social support may influence cancer identity. A few studies cited cancer as a hindrance to adult identity development.

CONCLUSIONS

Cancer has a profound impact on identity formation among children and youth. Many normative assumptions about time, identity, and child and youth development underlie the existing literature. Future researchers may adopt a critical lens to be inclusive of diverse identity experiences among children and youth with cancer.

Understanding care when cure is not likely for young adults who face cancer: a realist analysis of data from patients, families and healthcare professionals

OBJECTIVES

To understand the experiences of young adults with cancer for whom cure is not likely, in particular what may be specific for people aged 16-40 years and how this might affect care.

DESIGN

We used data from multiple sources (semi-structured interviews with people with cancer, nominated family members and healthcare professionals, and workshops) informed by a preliminary programme theory: realist analysis of data within these themes enabled revision of our theory. A realist logic of analysis explored contexts and mechanisms affecting outcomes of care.

SETTING

Three cancer centres and associated palliative care services across England.

PARTICIPANTS

We aimed for a purposive sample of 45 people with cancer from two groups: those aged 16-24 years for whom there may be specialist cancer centres and those 16-40 years cared for through general adult services; each could nominate for interview one family member and one healthcare professional. We interviewed three people aged 16-24 years and 30 people 25-40 years diagnosed with cancer (carcinomas; blood cancers; sarcoma; central nervous system tumours) with a clinician-estimated prognosis of <12 months along with nominated family carers and healthcare professionals. 19 bereaved family members and 47 healthcare professionals participated in workshops.

RESULTS

Data were available from 69 interviews (33 people with cancer, 14 family carers, 22 healthcare professionals) and six workshops. Qualitative analysis revealed seven key themes: loss of control; maintenance of normal life; continuity of care; support for professionals; support for families; importance of language chosen by professionals; and financial concerns.

CONCLUSIONS

Current care towards end of life for young adults with cancer and their families does not meet needs and expectations. We identified challenges specific to those aged 16-40 years. The burden that care delivery imposes on healthcare professionals must be recognised. These findings can inform recommendations for measures to be incorporated into services.