Positive psychological experiences in allogeneic hematopoietic stem cell transplantation

Abstract

Objective Positive psychological constructs (e.g., optimism and hope) have been associated with superior health outcomes in the recovery from hematopoietic stem cell transplantation (HSCT) in prior work. However, such studies have not examined a broad range of positive psychological constructs, their sources or evolution over time, or their connections with key health behaviors. We used semistructured qualitative interviews in 25 HSCT patients to explore the nature and sources of positive psychological experiences during the first 100 days after transplantation. Methods Participants completed interviews during their HSCT hospitalization and approximately 100 days after transplantation. Transcribed interviews were organized and analyzed using NVivo 12 software by two coders (κ = 0.92). Interviews focused on the breadth of positive psychological experiences, their sources and evolution during the 100 days, and participants' perceived impact of positive constructs on health behaviors. Results Several positive psychological constructs especially gratitude, determination, and optimism were frequently expressed. Family support and deliberate participation in pleasant and meaningful activities were the two primary sources of positive psychological experiences after HSCT. At baseline, participants consistently reported gratitude for their donors while follow‐up was consistently characterized by hope for cure and return to baseline level of functioning. Additionally, participants related bidirectional relationships between positive psychological well‐being experiences and completion of health behaviors over time. Conclusions As one of the first qualitative studies characterizing the breadth, sources, and evolution of positive psychological experiences in HSCT patients, these findings add to the literature aimed at understanding psychological well‐being in this complex and growing patient population.

Quality of life and changes in the social dimension of hematopoietic stem cell transplants recipients

“…HSCT is marked by expectations of a successful procedure, in which optimism and hope are very important. In the research (22) carried out with adult patients for allogeneic transplantation during hospitalization and approximately 100 days after the procedure, the results showed positive psychological constructs, especially gratitude, determination and optimism. According to the study mentioned, in the beginning, the participants reported thankfulness for their donors and, afterward, hope for a cure was prevalent.…”

Böbrek Nakli Yapılan Hastaların Psikososyal Deneyimleri: Nitel Bir Araştırma

“…Bir çalışmada, naklin donör ile alıcı arasında şükran ve hayranlıkla karakterize edilen özel bir bağ oluşturduğu, ancak aynı zamanda alıcının yaşam tarzına ilişkin yeni beklentileri de ortaya çıkardığı görülmüştür (Thys 2015). Bir başka çalışmada, katılımcıların sürekli olarak bağışçılarına minnettarlık bildirdikleri belirtilmiştir (Amonoo 2019). Kadavra nakli alıcıları üzerinde yapılan çalışmalarda da benzer sonuçlar bulunmuştur (Kamran ve Ogden 2016, Dicks ve ark.…”

Beyond depression, anxiety and post‐traumatic stress disorder symptoms: Qualitative study of negative emotional experiences in hematopoietic stem cell transplant patients

“…We have previously reported full details about study design, procedures and analysis (Amonoo, Brown, et al., 2019) and include brief details below. We used a qualitative research design and hour‐long, semi‐structured qualitative interviews to explore the negative emotional experiences of HSCT patients in the first 100 days of transplantation.…”