Poster Presentation COSA-IPOS Joint Scientific Meeting 2012

Psychological outcomes of cancer support group participation among women with breast cancer in the Philippines (#576)

Jo Anne R Dumalaon-Canaria 1
  1. Department of Psychology, Ateneo de Manila University, Quezon City, Philippines

This study explored the experience of cancer support group participation among women with breast cancer in the Philippines. Using the case study method, a total of eight women were interviewed. Yalom’s group therapeutic factors and Lepore’s social cognitive processing model guided the analysis. Results of the study showed that helpful factors found in a support group is sense of security, outlet for thoughts and feelings, guidance and information, hope, joy and respite. Outcomes gained from participation are sense of meaning and purpose. However difficulties with regards to fears of recurrence, metastasis, and death were also expressed. The challenge being posed by this study is how limitations of support groups be addressed and how psychologists could assist them in this domain.

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