The Structure of Cancer Survivors' Perception on Adaptation Process

Abstract

Abstract

The purpose of this study was to examine cancer survivors' perception of their cancer experiences on adaptation process. Thirty adult cancer survivors were interviewed and examined through participant observation. They were residents of metropolitan areas in Japan who were discharged from hospitals more than five months ago. An inductive analysis was used to categorize their own words or behavior related to their experience during the adaptation process.

From an analysis of the data, I withdrew two themes : ① assuming one's responsibility and ② accepting one's condition. Four domains that represent cancer survivors' intent to adapt to cancer experiences were found : ① kinds of responsibility that should be assumed, ② ways to assume responsibility, ③ characteristics of condition that should be accepted, ④ ways to accept conditions. Two cognitive domains through which they adapt to the cancer experience were found : ① awareness of limitations of their own capabilities ; and ② perception of a line between self and others. The cognitive domain was constructed by three categories expressed by ; “there are problems that only I can solve” ; “there are other problems that I cannot solve by myself” ; and “there are matters beyond my control”. The latter domain was built around and expressed by : “one cannot solve other people' s problems” ; “I should not disturb the lines of others or burden them with my needs”, “I want to keep some aspect of my condition private”, and “I appreciate and think about my relationships”.

Cancer survivors establish a sound self concept by distinguishing self from others and realizing their own responsibility to self and their own mental capacity. So nurses should pay attention to how they keep their relationship and help them to represent their self hood.