Hostname: page-component-cd9895bd7-gxg78 Total loading time: 0 Render date: 2024-12-20T05:12:31.107Z Has data issue: false hasContentIssue false
  • English
  • Français

A qualitative study of the trauma and posttraumatic growth of multiple myeloma patients treated with peripheral blood stem cell transplant

Published online by Cambridge University Press:  25 October 2006

JACQUELINE FINE DAHAN  and
CARL F. AUERBACH
JACQUELINE FINE DAHAN
Affiliation:
Yeshiva University, Ferkauf Graduate School of Psychology, Albert Einstein College of Medicine, Bronx, New York
CARL F. AUERBACH
Affiliation:
Yeshiva University, Ferkauf Graduate School of Psychology, Albert Einstein College of Medicine, Bronx, New York
Get access Rights & Permissions [Opens in a new window]

Abstract

Objective: The study was conducted to understand the emotional impact of multiple myeloma, as well as the impact of its principle treatment, peripheral blood stem cell transplant (PBSCT). The absence of psycho-oncology research literature on this population prompted the need for a hypothesis-generating investigation. Thus, a qualitative design was used to construct a theoretical model of the trauma relating to diagnosis and treatment of myeloma. The study also incorporates the important period of reflection and growth following treatment.

Methods: The sample consisted of 3 women and 3 men treated for myeloma at a New York City-based cancer treatment center. Data from individual interviews were audiotaped and transcribed. After extensive review, the data were categorized into groups of repeating ideas, themes and broad theoretical constructs.

Results: A five-construct model emerged from the data analysis that integrated a model of trauma and growth presented in earlier work (Auerbach et al., 2006). These constructs roughly correspond with stages of illness, but do not necessarily imply a linear process, as suggested by stage models. The first construct is diagnosis. Patients receive the news that they have multiple myeloma. Initial reactions are discussed and a treatment plan takes form. In the second construct, treatment, patients highlight the physical and emotional hurdles confronted throughout treatment. The third construct, network of safety, presents social factors that play a role in comforting patients throughout illness. Patients recognize the importance of a strong support system during their experiences. In the fourth construct, recuperation, physical energy is regained after an arduous recovery period. This contributes to higher spirits and a motivation to reengage with life. The fifth construct is reflection and new existence. Patients strive to balance a new reality that relapse and death are inevitable, along with their need to live a meaningful life. Many do not yet appreciate how their disease has impacted them, but describe how their interpersonal lives and perceptions have changed, both positively and negatively.

Significance of results: Limitations of the study, future directions for research and clinical implications are discussed.

Keywords

CancerMyelomaTransplantPsychooncologyTraumaPosttraumatic growth
Type
Research Article
Information
Palliative & Supportive Care , Volume 4 , Issue 4 , December 2006 , pp. 365 - 387
Copyright
© 2006 Cambridge University Press

Access options

Get access to the full version of this content by using one of the access options below. (Log in options will check for institutional or personal access. Content may require purchase if you do not have access.)

References

REFERENCES

American Psychiatric Association. (1980). Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders (3rd ed.). Washington, DC: Author.
American Psychiatric Association. (1994). Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders (4th ed.). Washington, DC: Authors.
Auerbach, C.F., Salick, E., & Fine, J. (2006). Using grounded theory to develop treatment strategies for multicontextual trauma. Professional Psychology: Research and Practice, 37, 367–373.Google Scholar
Auerbach, C.F. & Silverstein, L.B. (2003). Qualitative data: An introduction to coding and analysis. New York: New York University Press.
Greenlee, R.T., Murray, T., Bolden, S., et al. (2000). Cancer Statistics, 2000. CA: A Cancer Journal for Clinicians, 50, 7–33.Google Scholar
Gurevich, M., Devins, G., & Rodin, G.M. (2002). Stress response syndromes and cancer. Psychosomatics, 43, 259–590.Google Scholar
Herman, J.L. (1992). Trauma and Recovery. New York: Basic Books.
Janoff-Bulman, R. (1992). Shattered Assumptions: Towards a New Psychology of Trauma. New York: The Free Press.
Kangas, M., Henry, J.L., & Bryant, R.A. (2002). Posttraumatic stress disorder following cancer: A conceptual and empirical review. Clinical Psychology Review, 22, 499–524.Google Scholar
McGarvey, E.L., Canterbury, R.J., Koopman, C., et al. (1998). Acute stress disorder following diagnosis of cancer. International Journal of Rehabilitation and Health, 4, 1–15.Google Scholar
National Cancer Institute. (2005). What you need to know about multiple myeloma. Bethesda, MD: National Cancer Institute. Available at: http://www.nci.nih.gov/cancerinfo/wyntk/myeloma.
Öhman, M., Söderberg, S., & Lundman, B. (2003). Hovering between suffering and enduring: The meaning of living with serious chronic illness. Qualitative Health Research, 13, 528–542.Google Scholar
Remen, R.N. (2000). My Grandfather's Blessings. New York: Riverhead Books.
Skerrett, K. (1998). Couple adjustment to the experience of breast cancer. Families, Systems & Health, 16, 281–298.Google Scholar
Steinglass, P. (1998). Multiple family discussion groups for patients with chronic medical illness. Families, Systems & Health, 16, 55–70.Google Scholar
Weingarten, K. & Weingarten Worthen, M.E. (1997). A narrative approach to understanding the illness experiences of a mother and daughter. Families, Systems & Health, 15, 41–54.Google Scholar