Cancer Research Center, Shahid Beheshti University of Medical Sciences, Tehran, Iran
Abstract
Background: Studies about cancer-related trauma have shown that psychological reactions to the disease are not exclusively negative but most patients also report positive experiences. These positive perceptions are also called post-traumatic growth and benefit patients psychologically, spiritually, and physically. Therefore, we have conducted a study about how women with breast cancer perceive post- traumatic growth and the recognition of its dimensions in Iran.Methods: This qualitative study was conducted by using Interpretative Phe- nomenological Analysis. A total of 23 women with breast cancer who met the inclusion criteria were selected after which patients completed a researcher-generated open-ended questionnaire. Data were analyzed according to the guidelines for the Interpretative Phenomenological Analysis and Smith method.Results: Participants’ perceptions in this study about post-traumatic growth included three themes: spiritual growth, appreciation of life, and increased personal strengths.Conclusion: Themes found in this study conformed to dimensions according to the Tedeschi and Calhoun theory of post-traumatic growth. However, relations with others were not found in the present study. We propose that interventions should be designed and implemented in order to facilitate and enhance post-traumatic growth.
Fallah, R., Keshmir, F., Lotfi Kashani, F., Azargashb, E. & Esmaeel Akbari, M. (2012). Post-traumatic Growth in Breast Cancer Patients: A Qualitative Phenomenological Study. Middle East Journal of Cancer, 3(Issue 2-3), 35–44.
MLA
Fallah, R., Keshmir, F., Lotfi Kashani, F., Azargashb, E., & Esmaeel Akbari, M. "Post-traumatic Growth in Breast Cancer Patients: A Qualitative Phenomenological Study", Middle East Journal of Cancer, 3, Issue 2-3, 2012, 35–44.
HARVARD
Fallah, R., Keshmir, F., Lotfi Kashani, F., Azargashb, E., & Esmaeel Akbari, M. (2012). 'Post-traumatic Growth in Breast Cancer Patients: A Qualitative Phenomenological Study', Middle East Journal of Cancer, 3(Issue 2-3), pp. 35–44.
CHICAGO
Fallah, R., Keshmir, F., Lotfi Kashani, F., Azargashb, E. & Esmaeel Akbari, M., "Post-traumatic Growth in Breast Cancer Patients: A Qualitative Phenomenological Study." Middle East Journal of Cancer, 3 Issue 2-3 (2012): 35–44,
VANCOUVER
Fallah R., Keshmir F., Lotfi Kashani F., Azargashb E., Esmaeel Akbari M. Post-traumatic Growth in Breast Cancer Patients: A Qualitative Phenomenological Study. Middle East Journal of Cancer. 2012;3(Issue 2-3):35–44.