TY - JOUR
T1 - What Is Hope For Breast Cancer Patients? A Qualitative Study
AU - Saita, Emanuela
AU - De Luca, Letizia
AU - Acquati, Chiara
PY - 2015
Y1 - 2015
N2 - This study explores the function of hope in the life experience of women
diagnosed with breast cancer. Despite its relevance, hope is a psychosocial concept still not
fully explored by the literature. Aim of the present contribution is therefore to conduct a
qualitative examination of semi-structure interviews of women with breast cancer. In
particular the connection between hope and eight domains (diagnosis, life events,
supportive network, healthcare network, medical treatment, acceptance of the disease,
ability to make projects and spirituality) associated with it is investigated. The analysis of
the interviews of four breast cancer patients met during their hospital staying reveals that
hope is an essential aspect of the ability to cope with the illness. Furthermore, our analysis
confirms that hope can be placed on a continuum between Cognitive and Emotional
dimensions, from the intersections of which four possible scenarios (Despairing Space,
Fleeting Space, Hesitating Space and Hoping Space) can be identified
AB - This study explores the function of hope in the life experience of women
diagnosed with breast cancer. Despite its relevance, hope is a psychosocial concept still not
fully explored by the literature. Aim of the present contribution is therefore to conduct a
qualitative examination of semi-structure interviews of women with breast cancer. In
particular the connection between hope and eight domains (diagnosis, life events,
supportive network, healthcare network, medical treatment, acceptance of the disease,
ability to make projects and spirituality) associated with it is investigated. The analysis of
the interviews of four breast cancer patients met during their hospital staying reveals that
hope is an essential aspect of the ability to cope with the illness. Furthermore, our analysis
confirms that hope can be placed on a continuum between Cognitive and Emotional
dimensions, from the intersections of which four possible scenarios (Despairing Space,
Fleeting Space, Hesitating Space and Hoping Space) can be identified
KW - hope, breast cancer, qualitative research, cognition, emotion.
KW - hope, breast cancer, qualitative research, cognition, emotion.
UR - http://hdl.handle.net/10807/69829
U2 - 10.6092/2282-1619/2015.3.1047
DO - 10.6092/2282-1619/2015.3.1047
M3 - Article
SN - 2282-1619
VL - 3
SP - 1
EP - 17
JO - Mediterranean Journal of Clinical Psychology
JF - Mediterranean Journal of Clinical Psychology
ER -