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The experience of connection in groups for people with cancer Nitkin, Patricia Anne
Abstract
This study reports on the experiences of nine individuals with cancer who were members of a weekly relaxation support group for people with cancer and their families/friends. It was posited that existential concerns such as suffering, isolation, meaning and death become essential when people are diagnosed with cancer, and as a result, they need to connect with others going through similar challenges in order to address these concerns. A modified critical incident technique was employed to identify experiences that either contributed to, or detracted from, a feeling of connection between or amongst group members, group volunteers and/or group facilitators. The modification of the method was the inclusion of a participant-observer approach in which the researcher both facilitated the relaxation groups and conducted research on the group. Two sets of semi-structured interviews were held with the participants, asking them about their perspectives on connecting with other group participants, and about how those connections were nurtured or curtailed. The study yielded thirteen categories. The first eleven categories described significant experiences that contributed to connection and were labelled: being with people like myself; expressing my thoughts and feelings; freedom to be myself; relating to other people's cancer stories; knowing I can trust the people who run the group; helping others; experiencing care and touch from others; feeling that I belong here; sharing positive experiences around cancer; getting the help and support I need; connecting beyond the relaxation group. The remaining two categories described experiences that detracted from connection and were labelled: when I need to protect myself and aspects of the group that are not satisfying. Consistent with other psychosocial oncology research, results indicated that group support is effective in assisting people with cancer in coping with the effects of their disease. Links made to existentialism included an emphasis on a need to feel less isolated; a need to laugh, even in times of distress; a need to openly address painful emotions, suffering and death; and a need to belong. Suggestions for counselling were based on these findings as well as the importance of expressions of caring and physical touch such as hugs, therapeutic touch; linking patients with other patients; and trustworthiness and openness in sessions.
Item Metadata
Title |
The experience of connection in groups for people with cancer
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Creator | |
Publisher |
University of British Columbia
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Date Issued |
2000
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Description |
This study reports on the experiences of nine individuals with cancer who were
members of a weekly relaxation support group for people with cancer and their
families/friends. It was posited that existential concerns such as suffering, isolation,
meaning and death become essential when people are diagnosed with cancer, and as a
result, they need to connect with others going through similar challenges in order to
address these concerns. A modified critical incident technique was employed to identify
experiences that either contributed to, or detracted from, a feeling of connection between
or amongst group members, group volunteers and/or group facilitators. The modification
of the method was the inclusion of a participant-observer approach in which the
researcher both facilitated the relaxation groups and conducted research on the group.
Two sets of semi-structured interviews were held with the participants, asking them about
their perspectives on connecting with other group participants, and about how those
connections were nurtured or curtailed. The study yielded thirteen categories. The first
eleven categories described significant experiences that contributed to connection and
were labelled: being with people like myself; expressing my thoughts and feelings;
freedom to be myself; relating to other people's cancer stories; knowing I can trust the
people who run the group; helping others; experiencing care and touch from others;
feeling that I belong here; sharing positive experiences around cancer; getting the help
and support I need; connecting beyond the relaxation group. The remaining two
categories described experiences that detracted from connection and were labelled: when
I need to protect myself and aspects of the group that are not satisfying. Consistent with other psychosocial oncology research, results indicated that group support is effective in
assisting people with cancer in coping with the effects of their disease. Links made to
existentialism included an emphasis on a need to feel less isolated; a need to laugh, even
in times of distress; a need to openly address painful emotions, suffering and death; and a
need to belong. Suggestions for counselling were based on these findings as well as the
importance of expressions of caring and physical touch such as hugs, therapeutic touch;
linking patients with other patients; and trustworthiness and openness in sessions.
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Extent |
4777153 bytes
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Genre | |
Type | |
File Format |
application/pdf
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Language |
eng
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Date Available |
2009-08-19
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Provider |
Vancouver : University of British Columbia Library
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Rights |
For non-commercial purposes only, such as research, private study and education. Additional conditions apply, see Terms of Use https://open.library.ubc.ca/terms_of_use.
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DOI |
10.14288/1.0053871
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URI | |
Degree | |
Program | |
Affiliation | |
Degree Grantor |
University of British Columbia
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Graduation Date |
2000-11
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Campus | |
Scholarly Level |
Graduate
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Aggregated Source Repository |
DSpace
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Item Media
Item Citations and Data
Rights
For non-commercial purposes only, such as research, private study and education. Additional conditions apply, see Terms of Use https://open.library.ubc.ca/terms_of_use.