Covid‐19‐related ruminations: A qualitative study based on the perspectives of the cancer survivors

Abstract

Cancer survivors can develop repetitive ruminations due to the unexpected and challenging effects of Covid‐19. This qualitative descriptive design study aimed to comprehend the Covid‐19‐related ruminations from the subjective perspective of the cancer survivors (n = 33), accessed via online Facebook self‐help groups of a cancer association. A semi‐structured interview guide was used for data collection following a systematic analysis. Based on the descriptive analysis of the data, three main themes with two sub‐themes emerged, including cancer survivors’ experiences: “ welcome to my life, ” “ cancer vs. Covid‐19, ” and “ fight vs. lose.” The findings suggested that cancer survivors have many ruminations about cancer and the pandemic. Their ruminations were mainly concerned with the possibility of suffering from cancer again and catching Covid‐19. Nonetheless, participants also had positive cognitions that they could overcome the pandemic as they have previously beat cancer. The findings may also offer a promising resource for nurses to understand the ruminations of cancer survivors and develop novel approaches and interventions to help cancer survivors replace their intrusive ruminations with deliberate ones.