{"title":"Cancer patients' experiences of moments of relational depth during psychological therapy: a qualitative study.","authors":"Ruth Anderson, Mick Cooper, Edith Maria Steffen","doi":"10.1080/07347332.2023.2184741","DOIUrl":null,"url":null,"abstract":"<p><strong>Objective: </strong>Research into psychological interventions for cancer patients has focused on the effectiveness of different treatment methods. Investigating common factors across treatments, such as qualities within the therapeutic relationship, has been neglected. This study explores cancer patients' experiences of moments of profound contact and engagement with their therapist, including any perceived impact.</p><p><strong>Methods: </strong>Semi-structured interviews were conducted with ten cancer patients. Eight participants reported having experienced moments of relational depth. Their transcripts were analyzed using thematic analysis.</p><p><strong>Findings: </strong>Five themes were identified: \"Being physically and psychically vulnerable,\" \"Being rescued from the waves,\" \"Experiencing the calm after the storm,\" \"More than a feeling,\" and \"The therapist as 'a stranger and not a stranger'.\"</p><p><strong>Conclusion: </strong>Both novice and experienced practitioners should be aware of the potential power of moments of relational depth for cancer patients: to normalize patients' increased vulnerability and emotionality, and to manage breaks and endings with relational sensitivity.</p>","PeriodicalId":47451,"journal":{"name":"Journal of Psychosocial Oncology","volume":null,"pages":null},"PeriodicalIF":1.5000,"publicationDate":"2023-01-01","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":"1","resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":null,"PeriodicalName":"Journal of Psychosocial Oncology","FirstCategoryId":"3","ListUrlMain":"https://doi.org/10.1080/07347332.2023.2184741","RegionNum":4,"RegionCategory":"医学","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":null,"EPubDate":"2023/3/6 0:00:00","PubModel":"Epub","JCR":"Q4","JCRName":"PSYCHOLOGY, SOCIAL","Score":null,"Total":0}
引用次数: 1
Abstract
Objective: Research into psychological interventions for cancer patients has focused on the effectiveness of different treatment methods. Investigating common factors across treatments, such as qualities within the therapeutic relationship, has been neglected. This study explores cancer patients' experiences of moments of profound contact and engagement with their therapist, including any perceived impact.
Methods: Semi-structured interviews were conducted with ten cancer patients. Eight participants reported having experienced moments of relational depth. Their transcripts were analyzed using thematic analysis.
Findings: Five themes were identified: "Being physically and psychically vulnerable," "Being rescued from the waves," "Experiencing the calm after the storm," "More than a feeling," and "The therapist as 'a stranger and not a stranger'."
Conclusion: Both novice and experienced practitioners should be aware of the potential power of moments of relational depth for cancer patients: to normalize patients' increased vulnerability and emotionality, and to manage breaks and endings with relational sensitivity.
期刊介绍:
Here is your single source of integrated information on providing the best psychosocial care possible from the knowledge available from many disciplines.The Journal of Psychosocial Oncology is an essential source for up-to-date clinical and research material geared toward health professionals who provide psychosocial services to cancer patients, their families, and their caregivers. The journal—the first interdisciplinary resource of its kind—is in its third decade of examining exploratory and hypothesis testing and presenting program evaluation research on critical areas, including: the stigma of cancer; employment and personal problems facing cancer patients; patient education.