Psycho-oncology
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This study examined differences in attitudes and preferences between African American and White caregivers about cancer treatment and care. ⋯ The findings suggest some differences in beliefs and cultural values between African American and White caregivers. African American caregivers appear to believe more in the possibility of curative care for advanced lung cancer and eschew hospice care. The findings inform possible challenges regarding communication about end-of-life treatment and care with African American caregivers and a need for the provision of adequate information and education.
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Randomized Controlled Trial
Factors associated with attrition from a randomized controlled trial of meaning-centered group psychotherapy for patients with advanced cancer.
The generalizability of palliative care intervention research is often limited by high rates of study attrition. This study examined factors associated with attrition from a randomized controlled trial comparing meaning-centered group psychotherapy (MCGP), an intervention designed to help advanced cancer patients sustain or enhance their sense of meaning to the supportive group psychotherapy (SGP), a standardized support group. ⋯ These findings highlight the challenge of maintaining advanced cancer patients in longitudinal research and suggest the need to consider alternative approaches (e.g., telemedicine) for patients who might benefit from group interventions but are too ill to travel.
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This study specifically aimed to compare quality of life (QOL) and mental health in bereaved family members of patients with cancer with that of the general population and to examine factors associated with QOL and mental health in this population. ⋯ Our results confirm that bereaved family members of patients with cancer have lower health-related QOL and mental health than the general population. Healthcare providers should focus more attention on this vulnerable group, and various support programs should be developed to improve their health-related QOL.
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Cognitive problems are commonly reported by hematopoietic stem cell transplant (HSCT) survivors and are associated with poorer physical and mental well-being. It was hypothesized that adverse effects of subjective cognitive impairment occur because cognitive difficulties reduce survivors' confidence that they can manage HSCT-related symptoms-that is, self-efficacy for symptom management. ⋯ Findings support the conclusion that subjective cognitive impairment reduces HSCT survivors' confidence in their ability to manage common post-HSCT symptoms, with implications for physical and mental well-being. Interventions that help enhance survivors' self-efficacy, particularly self-efficacy for the management of emotional symptoms, are likely to benefit HSCT survivors who report subjective cognitive impairment.
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The study aimed to assess the psychometric properties of the Cancer Locus of Control (CLOC) scale on a Greek sample of advanced cancer patients. ⋯ The results suggest that the Greek version of CLOC administered in cancer patients treated in a palliative care unit is a reliable and valid clinical instrument.