Abstract
The purpose of this study was to identify psychological mechanisms that can be used to preserve the self-integration of cancer patients. Twenty patients (i.e. 13 males, 7 females, average age: 60.6) were analyzed by the Grounded Theory Approach (Strauss & Corbin, 1990). As a result, three categories: Confrontation of Mental Collapse Crisis (the condition of tension-increase in stress of being informed as a cancer patient), Avoidance of Mental Collapse Crisis (the condition of tension-decrease in stress of being informed as a cancer patient), and Self-Integration Preservation were identified as categories for psychological mechanisms of cancer patients. In addition, six subcategories on the increase in stress, a) anticipation, b) suspicion, c) hope, d) shock, e) depression and f) despair were identified as subcategories of confrontation of Mental Collapse Crisis. Regarding avoidance of mental collapse crisis, six subcategories on the reduction in stress, a) denial, b) catharsis, c) faith, d) acceptance, e) hope and f) time were found. Finally, as subcategories of self-integration preservation, two subcategories, a) catharsis and b) self-integration, were discovered.
