Work

Young adult cancer survivors’ experiences with a mindful self-compassion (MSC) video-chat intervention: A qualitative analysis

Year: 2018

Type: article

Abstract: Young adult cancer survivors (YACS) are a vulnerable population that reports high anxiety, social isolation, and feelings of inadequacy after cancer treatment completion. Mindful self-compassion (MSC) provides strategies for coping with suffering. We explored how MSC practices addressed the psychosocial needs of a nationally recruited YACS sample (N=20, all female, age M=27.00, various cancer types) that participated in an 8-week MSC video-chat intervention. Descriptive qualitative analysis of the intervention recordings revealed three YACS' psychosocial needs: peer isolation, body concerns, and health-related anxiety. MSC practices addressed these in a number of ways including: self-reliance for emotional support, common humanity within the YACS community, gratitude, self-kindness, and acceptance. Meanwhile, the body scan practice initially triggered distress for some; implications are discussed.

Source: Self and Identity

DOI: 10.1080/15298868.2018.1451363

Authors: Christine Lathren, Karen Bluth, Rebecca Campo, Winfield Tan, Will Futch

Institution: University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill

Language: English

Topic: Cancer survivorship and care

Subfield: Oncology

Field: Medicine

Domain: Health Sciences

SDG: Good health and well-being

Open Access status: green

Funders: University of North Carolina, National Institutes of Health, National Center for Advancing Translational Sciences, National Center for Complementary and Integrative Health