Meaning-based intervention programs applied to people diagnosed with cancer: A systematic review Cover Image

Kanser tanısı almış kişilere uygulanan anlam temelli müdahale programları: Sistematik bir derleme
Meaning-based intervention programs applied to people diagnosed with cancer: A systematic review

Author(s): Selva Ülbe, Gülay Dirik
Subject(s): Social Sciences, Psychology, Clinical psychology
Published by: Klinik Psikoloji Araştırmaları Derneği
Keywords: cancer; meaning; interventions; systematic review;

Summary/Abstract: In recent years, various meaning-based intervention programs aiming not only to reduce the negative psychological symptoms experienced by people diagnosed with cancer but also to en-rich their lives by connecting with their sources of meaning and values in life, have been devel-oped. The aim of the present study was to systematically examine the characteristics and out-comes of interventions that focus directly on developing a sense of meaning and purpose in life in people diagnosed with cancer. In this context, a systematic literature review was conducted using six electronic databases, namely PsycINFO, MEDLINE, CINAHL Complete, PubMed, Scopus, and Web of Science. As a result of the literature search conducted between 2000 and 2022, 20 studies including 14 different intervention programs focusing on meaning-making and meaning in life for people diagnosed with cancer were identified. The sample of the studies in the review consisted mostly of women, middle-aged and older people diagnosed with advanced cancer. Breast and lung cancer is the most common type of cancer in the articles in this review. The majority of the studies in the review were theoretically influenced by Viktor Frankl's studies and adopted the existential approach in psychotherapy. When the effects of meaning-based inter-ventions were evaluated, it was found that they are highly effective in improving the sense of meaning, quality of life, and spiritual well-being. It was also thought to have relatively positive effects on anxiety, depression, emotional distress, optimism, and hopelessness levels. Because of these effects, it could be said that meaning-focused interventions are a promising approach both in answering the questions of people diagnosed with cancer about meaning and existence and in reducing their emotional distress. On the other hand, new studies using a more rigorous research methodology are needed to make more comprehensive conclusions about meaning-focused interventions.

  • Issue Year: 7/2023
  • Issue No: 3
  • Page Range: 468-494
  • Page Count: 27
  • Language: Turkish
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