Psychological Experiences of Women with Cancer Regarding Factors Affecting the Disease: A Qualitative Study

Leila  Barjasteh; Mohammad Hossein  Fallah; Najmeh  Sedrpoushan; Abolghasem  Asi Moznab

doi:10.18502/tbj.v24i3.20767

Leila Barjasteh Ph.D. Student in Counseling, Faculty of Education, Yazd Branch, Islamic Azad University, Yazd, Iran
Mohammad Hossein Fallah Associate Professor, Department of Psychology and Counseling, Faculty of Education, Yazd Branch, Islamic Azad University, Yazd, Iran
Najmeh Sedrpoushan Assistant Professor, Department of Psychology and Counseling, Faculty of Education, Yazd Branch, Islamic Azad University, Yazd, Iran
Abolghasem Asi Moznab Assistant Professor, Department of Islamic Studies, Faculty of Humanities, Yazd Branch, Islamic Azad University, Yazd, Iran

DOI: https://doi.org/10.18502/tbj.v24i3.20767

Keywords: Psychological Experiences,Women,Cancer

Abstract

Introduction: In various human societies, cancer, as one of the most irritating, exhausting, and deadly diseases, has always had numerous negative effects on the lives of patients and their loved ones. Therefore, the present study was conducted with the aim of investigating the psychological experiences of women with cancer as factors affecting the disease

Methods: The present study employs a qualitative approach and is applied in nature. Data collection was conducted through interviews with participants. The study sample consisted of 24 women diagnosed with cancer, aged 30 to 60, residing in Kerman, Iran. Participants were selected through purposive sampling. Data were gathered using semi-structured interviews, continuing until theoretical saturation was achieved. After collection, the data were recorded, documented, and transcribed. Subsequently, to identify, extract, organize, and interpret the latent themes, a coding process within thematic analysis was conducted using MAXQDA-2022 software.

Results: The findings showed that 5 main clusters and 12 sub-clusters were identified, including: health care factors (physical and mental health management; health behaviors; importance of education and awareness), use of coping mechanisms (Islamic coping style; acceptance; problem solving), social support networks (social network of family, friends, and those around them; support network of medical staff and hospital personnel), personality and attitude (personality traits of optimism and self-efficacy; positive attitude), and mental health (mental stress; mental disorders and anxiety and depression).

Conclusion: The results showed that the factors influencing disease in patients with cancer are a complex issue that, in addition to the most important causes of cancer, also depends on numerous other factors, including health care factors, coping mechanisms, support and social networks, personality, attitude, and mental health, which can affect the condition of cancer patients in a precipitating or intervening manner and be effective in preventing its progression or improving it.