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Australian men with cancer practice complementary therapies (CTs) as a coping strategy.
- Source :
-
Psycho-oncology [Psychooncology] 2014 Nov; Vol. 23 (11), pp. 1236-42. Date of Electronic Publication: 2014 Apr 15. - Publication Year :
- 2014
-
Abstract
- Objective: The aim of this study was to explore how and why Australian men with cancer practice complementary therapies (CTs) and how their significant others (SOs) contribute to the regular uptake of CTs.<br />Methods: This qualitative study employed semi-structured interviews with 26 male cancer patients and 24 SOs. Participants were purposefully sampled from a preceding Australian survey investigating the use of CTs in men with cancer (94% response rate and 86% consent rate for follow-up interview). Interviews were conducted in a metropolitan location, and the 43 interview transcripts were analyzed thematically.<br />Results: Three core themes were identified: men used CTs as (a) problem-focused coping (e.g., diet modification), (b) emotion-focused coping (e.g., meditation), and (c) meaning-based coping (e.g., prayer). Practicing CTs helped men to cope with physical, emotional, and spiritual concerns, although some men spoke of difficulties with practicing meditation to regulate their emotions. SOs were supportive of men's coping strategies but were only rarely involved in men's emotion-focused coping.<br />Conclusions: Complementary therapies have the potential to facilitate coping with cancer, independent of any measurable physiological benefit. Our findings suggest that when clinicians engage in conversations about CTs use, they should consider the type of coping strategy employed by their patient. Such information may enhance the efficacy of some interventions (e.g., meditation) and also provide for an opportunity to discuss patients' expectations concerning CTs.<br /> (Copyright © 2014 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.)
- Subjects :
- Aged
Australia
Complementary Therapies psychology
Humans
Male
Meditation psychology
Middle Aged
Neoplasms psychology
Spirituality
Spouses
Yoga psychology
Adaptation, Psychological
Complementary Therapies statistics & numerical data
Dietary Supplements statistics & numerical data
Men psychology
Neoplasms therapy
Plant Preparations therapeutic use
Subjects
Details
- Language :
- English
- ISSN :
- 1099-1611
- Volume :
- 23
- Issue :
- 11
- Database :
- MEDLINE
- Journal :
- Psycho-oncology
- Publication Type :
- Academic Journal
- Accession number :
- 24737651
- Full Text :
- https://doi.org/10.1002/pon.3550