Relationship between the quality of life and the meaning of life in cancer patient

Abstract

RelationShip between the quality of life and the meaning of life in canceR patient Aim. The goal of the study was focused on examining the impact of meaningfulness of life on the quality of life in cancer patients. Methods. The selection of respondents was deliberate. The study involved together one hundred cancer patients undergoing anticancer therapy (chemotherapy, radiotherapy) in cancer care centers in the Prešov and Košice regions. We used two standardized World Health Organisation questionnaires WHOQOL-BREF 26 and The Life Meaningfulness Scale (LMS).Results. The results show statistical significance (p <.001) between LMS dimensions and total score of LMS, a positive correlation (p <.001) was found between the dimensions of the LMS and factors -religiosity, social support, older age, female gender. A higher sense of life our sample was observable in the population of women with cancer, in patients with a higher level of social support and in religious patients. A positive correlation was recorded in terms of the meaning of life impact on the quality of life in relation to overall score LMS and in relation to Domain 2 Survival as well as Domain 3 Social relationships (p <.05) and Q2 Satisfaction with health (p <.001).Conclusions. The study indicates the presence of relationship between the quality of life and the meaning of life in cancer patients. The results could form the basis for implementing strategies in oncological nursing practice. key words: quality of life, meaning of life, cancer patients, nursing

Meaning Making for Psychological Adjustment and Quality of Life in Older Long-Term Breast Cancer Survivors

“…The profound changes in global meaning after the cancer disease were described as a sudden shift toward living a more authentic life ( Rashidi et al, 2020 ). In our study, the women’s sudden shift in global meaning was experienced as a positive turning point in life, which is in line with the evidence of meaning in life as a buffer against distress and a promotor for well-being and QoL ( Tomich and Helgeson, 2002 ; Winger et al, 2016 ; Majerníková and Obročníková, 2017 ).…”

“…Consequently, age of the person and time since diagnosis are important aspects to consider in studies on meaning making, as the process of meaning making may differ across populations. Furthermore, the majority of previous studies of meaning making among breast cancer survivors are quantitative studies based on questionnaire data (e.g., Sears et al, 2003;Majerníková and Obročníková, 2017;Krok and Telka, 2018). Although studies taking the interpretative phenomenological perspective on meaning making in the population of breast cancer survivors exist, most include data from both young and older survivors (Gall and Cornblat, 2002;Collie et al, 2006;Fallah et al, 2012;Raque-Bogdan et al, 2018;Rashidi et al, 2020).…”

“…A strong sense of global meaning , across all domains (i.e., personal control, purpose in life) relates to increased psychological health and quality of life (QoL) among cancer patients ( Tomich and Helgeson, 2002 ; Laubmeier et al, 2004 ; Winger et al, 2016 ; Majerníková and Obročníková, 2017 ). According to the meaning making model, situational meaning is the specific evaluations of the cancer illness, such as viewing the event as (un)controllable and (un)fair, and to what degree it violates the persons own goals ( Park and Gutierrez, 2013 ).…”

Hope, meaning in life and religious/spiritual struggle predicts the quality of life in cancer patients with early and advanced malignancy: a structural equation modeling approach

“…Furthermore, meaning in life is a metaphysical question that is inextricably linked to the fundamental existentialism of being. Finding meaning in life while battling a disease like cancer has been shown to enhance cancer patients’ quality of life by modifying their illness perception and global meaning (Majernikova & Obrocnikova, 2017 ; Whiteford & Olver, 2012 ). These studies found a positive impact of MIL on QOL.…”

“…The benefits of spirituality reflect seeking meaning through spiritual faith and beliefs. Finding meaning when battling a sickness like cancer has been found to improve patients’ quality of life (QOL) by altering how they perceive their condition and global meaning, although those findings are only applicable to non-Asian contexts (Majernikova & Obrocnikova, 2017 ; Whiteford & Olver, 2012 ). There are numerous meaning sources.…”