Grief and Gracefulness Regarding Cancer Experiences Among Young Women

Abstract

Understanding the grief trajectories of young women with cancer will help nurses to develop screening tools and supportive interventions.

Psychological distress, role, and identity changes in mothers following a diagnosis of cancer: A systematic review

“…Among the 19 qualitative studies, and one mixed‐method, eight studies explored the experiences and psychological distress of young mothers diagnosed with early‐stage cancer, while two studies focused on single mothers and older mothers with metastatic cancer . While one study did not provide information regarding cancer type, the remaining studies involved women with breast cancer . Most studies involved mothers with young children living at home, and some studies involved mothers with adolescents and young adult children .…”

“…Apart from Behar's study, the qualitative studies were cross‐sectional in nature. Various types of analyses were adopted, including thematic or content analyses, grounded theory, phenomenological approach, and critical feminist epistemology . Social constructivist and biographical disruption paradigm were also noted as the theoretical frameworks informing their deductive analyses.…”

“…Most qualitative studies explored changes in mothers' sense of self and role after cancer diagnosis . Some mothers reported experiencing disruption to or loss of self‐identity, forcing them to reconstruct and accept a new sense of self, which accommodated a label as a cancer patient . Identity disruption was exacerbated when mothers perceived their doctors or friends to objectifying them as cancer patients rather than as mothers .…”

“…Most mothers realised that they needed to allow themselves to be sick and to practise more self‐care . There was a constant balancing act between prioritising self and children, but when perceived parenting skills diminished over time due to physical limitations or psychological distress, mothers' sense of failure in fulfilling their parenting role increased, perpetuating low parenting confidence and efficacy, anxiety, shame, and guilt . This further disrupted their identity as mothers, forcing some mothers to reconstruct or accept the new identity, and some adjusted their parenting style by delegating some responsibilities to their family and children …”

“…Keeping a sense of normalcy, such as maintaining routine at home, was the most common coping strategy for adjusting to changes in parenting . Maintaining routine served several purposes: For the family and children, it served as reassurance and an emotional shield from the worry and fear of losing their mother; for mothers, it allowed them to turn their attention away from their own fear and worry and towards the day‐to‐day routine of life with their children and to maintain a link between the present and identities before cancer diagnosis .…”