{"title":"A Clinical Case Study of Solution-Focused Brief Therapy for Young Adult Cancer Patients’ Psychological Distress: Focusing on Positive Emotions","authors":"Anao Zhang, Adam S. Froerer","doi":"10.1177/15346501231161776","DOIUrl":null,"url":null,"abstract":"Psychological distress is highly prevalent among adolescent and young adult (AYA) cancer patients, an age-defined population (15–39) disproportionately impacted by their cancer diagnosis. Solution-focused brief therapy (SFBT) is a strength-based and evidence-supported approach for youth with medical conditions. The use of SFBT in young cancer patients, however, has been rarely described. Building on the broaden-and-build theory of positive emotions, this study describes how SFBT clinicians intentionally foster positive emotions, especially hope, in an AYA cancer patient to foster therapeutic change. We found improvements in the patient’s psychological distress as well as growth in levels of hope both in the immediate post-intervention assessment and in the 2-week follow-up. The findings of the study suggested that SFBT is a promising approach to the unique challenges confronting AYAs with cancer. It was not feasible for this case study to match the sex and racial identities for a therapist with the client’s preference, which is considered a main limitation of this study.","PeriodicalId":46059,"journal":{"name":"Clinical Case Studies","volume":" ","pages":""},"PeriodicalIF":0.8000,"publicationDate":"2023-03-13","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":"2","resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":null,"PeriodicalName":"Clinical Case Studies","FirstCategoryId":"102","ListUrlMain":"https://doi.org/10.1177/15346501231161776","RegionNum":4,"RegionCategory":"心理学","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":null,"EPubDate":"","PubModel":"","JCR":"Q4","JCRName":"PSYCHIATRY","Score":null,"Total":0}
引用次数: 2
Abstract
Psychological distress is highly prevalent among adolescent and young adult (AYA) cancer patients, an age-defined population (15–39) disproportionately impacted by their cancer diagnosis. Solution-focused brief therapy (SFBT) is a strength-based and evidence-supported approach for youth with medical conditions. The use of SFBT in young cancer patients, however, has been rarely described. Building on the broaden-and-build theory of positive emotions, this study describes how SFBT clinicians intentionally foster positive emotions, especially hope, in an AYA cancer patient to foster therapeutic change. We found improvements in the patient’s psychological distress as well as growth in levels of hope both in the immediate post-intervention assessment and in the 2-week follow-up. The findings of the study suggested that SFBT is a promising approach to the unique challenges confronting AYAs with cancer. It was not feasible for this case study to match the sex and racial identities for a therapist with the client’s preference, which is considered a main limitation of this study.
期刊介绍:
Clinical Case Studies seeks manuscripts that articulate various theoretical frameworks. All manuscripts will require an abstract and must adhere to the following format: (1) Theoretical and Research Basis, (2) Case Introduction, (3) Presenting Complaints, (4) History, (5) Assessment, (6) Case Conceptualization (this is where the clinician"s thinking and treatment selection come to the forefront), (7) Course of Treatment and Assessment of Progress, (8) Complicating Factors (including medical management), (9) Managed Care Considerations (if any), (10) Follow-up (how and how long), (11) Treatment Implications of the Case, (12) Recommendations to Clinicians and Students, and References.