The Quality Of Life And Psychosocial

Poverty also influences our responses to health and illness. The level of income below that which people cannot afford a minimum, nutritionally adequate diet, suitable and secure housing, heating and hot water, and beds to sleep on.

Ph.D. degree acquired authors, Ronald L. Blount, Ronald T. Brown, and Natalie C. Frank, conducted a study focused on predictors of the overall psychological adjustment in children who are battling cancer. They concentrated on anxiety and depression levels and how the child externalizes behavior. There were 83 children who participated in this study of ages ranging from 7 to 18 years. After obtaining parental and child consent, the researchers proceeded to give each

Carr, B. (2013). Psychological aspects of cancer: A guide to emotional and psychological consequences of cancer, their causes and their management. New York: Springer.

In light that a considerable number of survivors of pediatric cancer do not experience marked disease burden including other psychological factors that is not evident until their adolescence and mid adult years, it is critical to understand their plight in order to create strategies to enable them to have better lives. Cancer is an impending problem currently with nearly all families having interacted with or are related to individuals who have experienced these problems. In light of the increase in childhood cancer, it is critical to equip families and individuals for the implication of the problem socially and culturally, the problem of reintegrating the individuals who have suffered childhood cancer back into the community or even the learning circles is a difficult task. The ability to understand the basis of the problem will enable everybody to have the knowledge of why it is difficult and help in the integration

The idea for enforcing quality-of-life infractions was given a name in 1982 when James Q. Wilson and George Kelling wrote a highly influential article in The Atlantic Monthly about “broken windows” (Wilson and Kelling, 1982). The central theme that Wilson and Kelling expounded was that if minor incidents of disorder were dealt with, that would prevent more serious incidents in the future. But Maple didn’t buy this theory. His thinking was that if enforcement of minor disorders and infractions were to make a difference in terms of crime reduction, it had to be supported by a larger strategy. He referred to the broader strategy as “quality-of-life Plus” (Maple and Mitchell, 1999, p. 155). He came up with the “plus” part of the strategy, and

Adolescents diagnosed with cancer face many challenges. A diagnosis of cancer for an adolescent is difficult not only because of the cancer and everything that goes along with it, but also because of the unique aspects of social and psychological development that they are experiencing in this time of their life. Adolescence is difficult enough without the added difficulties of a cancer diagnosis. Evidence suggests that people who undergo cancer treatment as teenagers and young adults experience greater difficulties adjusting than their peers. For example, survivors often experience challenges with social relationships and mental health, are less likely to attend college, and less likely to attain gainful

Multiple epidemiological and psychological studies have investigated the relationship between psychological factors and the progression of cancer. Lack of social support, trauma history, depression, and distress and the most commonly cited psychological processes when looking at cancer outcomes. A meta-analysis conducted by Pinquart and Duberstein (2010) examined the association between social support and cancer progression and found that higher levels of perceived social support, having a larger social network, and being married decreased the mortality rate by 25%, 20% and 12% respectively. In contrast studies done on depression, stress, and trauma have consistently found them to

This study hypothesizes the following: long-term comorbid survivors of childhood cancer with the high psychosocial risk factors, in middle adolescence at the time of initial cancer diagnosis will be more like to display PTSD symptoms than other childhood cancer survivors. For the purpose of this research, long-term is defined as three plus years after completion of the cancer treatment. Comorbidity is defined as having either a secondary physical illness and/or a mental disorder diagnosed prior to the initial cancer diagnosis. Psychosocial risk factors are identified as lower quality of life post cancer treatment (diminished emotional and physical functioning), inadequate emotional/social support during and after treatment, a more intense

The current case study provides a description of a 9-week outpatient intervention protocol that was used to help increase quality of life and decrease symptoms of anxiety and depression in a 16-year old female being treated for cancer. The adolescent and young adult cancer population has been identified as a patient group that is particularly vulnerable to psychosocial distress, due to the arrest of developmental milestones that typically occur during this life phase. As such, the development and dissemination of evidence-based psychosocial supports for this group of cancer patients is needed.

Some survivors have been known to struggle with negative emotional problems after their cancer. Others, including myself, have recreated themselves and have a more positive outlook on life and the struggles that we face. Each patient’s post experiences and treatment is different. The most common side effect after your cancer treatment, for all ages is fatigue or a persistent feeling of mental or physical tiredness. Studies that have been done on survivors of childhood cancer have shown that at least sixty percent of young adults develop chronic health problems. However, childhood cancer survivors can have exposure to a little more serious late side effects. Such as, heart problems, blood vessel problems, lung problems, bone problems, slow bone growth and the most common, memory problems. But generally, late effects are a consequence of their treatment type and it’s

There are numerous factors contributing to psychological distress in cancer survivorship. Each factor or group of factors influence the cancer survivor individualistically, and the family collectively. The focus of the PICO is the cancer survivor and their family transitioning back to primary care. For this project, the family can be a patient, spouse or significant other, and family unit as the research focus. The emphasis on cancer survivorship and the psychological distress after treatment regimen, occurs when patients and their family unit must modify into a “new normal” of daily life. The NCCN’s validity of the DT instrument is rich in research however, this screening instrument is not in use when the patient shifts back to primary care contrary to research discussions expressing the need for continuity of use after transition.

According to the American Cancer Society, some children may have social or emotional issues that should be dealt with during and after treatment. Children may have problems with normal functioning and school work, depending on their age. Doctors or a cancer team can suggest special support programs and services to help children after treatment, but many of these problems can be overcome by support and encouragement. Experts suggest that cancer patients that are in school should attend it as much as they can. This can help keep friends informed about what is going on, and it also helps patients keep a daily routine. Even though friends are great for support and encouragement, parents and patients should realize that people have misinterpretations and worries about cancer. Because of this, some cancer centers have school re-entry programs. These programs allow health teachers to visit the school and teach children about diagnosis, treatment, and challenges the cancer patient may face. These health teachers also answer questions from students and teachers. Some cancer centers that treat many patients may have a program that allows cancer patients and their families to meet people who have finished treatments for leukemia. These programs can give not only the patient but the family a sense of what it is going to be like during and after treatments, and this can be very important for them. The patient isn’t the only one that suffers emotionally and in other ways, the parents and other family members are also affected. Concerns include: financial problems, traveling to and staying near cancer centers, job loss, and a need for home schooling. Social workers or other specialized in family therapy can help families cope with all of these problems. Most of the time, during treatment the patients and families are focused on beating the cancer, but after

NSM fits the need of the PICO project through the interpretation of concepts and the dynamic nature of stressors and reactions to the basic structure (patient and/or family). A key component in utilization of the NSM for screening psychological distress after oncology care, is self-report of the instability of transition to a new lifestyle. Cancer-related psychological distress is widespread (Hoffman, 2012). The distress can remain hidden as priorities in cancer rehabilitation and family adjustment take place. The initial stressor of the cancer diagnosis creates a change in the patient and/or family (basic structure functioning and energy resources), however after cancer treatment (variables), the client system (patient and/or family) still is adjusting to change (lines of resistance). Patients and families may not go back to their prior life (environment) but transition into a “new

“A persons quality of life is impacted from the beginning of the oncology experience, during which he or she encounters many unplanned, life altering events” (Drake). For many, quality of life means to enjoy normal life activities such as: shopping, driving, and working. Cancer can impair this ability to enjoy that normal lifestyle. Christopher Cordaro II, a close friend of my family, is a perfect example of how a person’s life can change over night. Chris was diagnosed with stage IV neuroendocrine carcinoma in September of 2015. He went from being a very active and athletic person who thoroughly enjoyed his job with the New Orleans Saints to someone who’s prognosis was not longer than a couple of months. Within days of his diagnosis he was given a very aggressive round of chemotherapy with a second round to follow three weeks later. Chris found himself not able to enjoy some of the activities he was passionate about and not able to go to work and do the job he loved, which was hard for him to cope with. Often times a person who receives chemo will have certain side effects that will alter their life, but will fade as

Attitudes will influence the way we maintain our psychological well-being. This may lead us to use complementary and alternative medicine (CAM), a diverse set of health practises that fall beyond the scope of traditional medicine (TM; Barnett, Shale, Elkins & Fisher, 2014). Specifically, an attitude of distrust towards TM in maintaining psychological well-being may lead us to try this. In Victoria, it has been found that 52% of people currently use it, whilst life-time use rates are 85% (Robinson, Chesters & Cooper, 2007). Simultaneously, mental health remains comparatively foreign within TM practices (Bazzan, Zabrecky, Montie & Newberg, 2014). Thus research into what people high or low in psychological well-being is important.