Self-transcendence in older men attending a prostate cancer support group

Abstract

Self-transcendence has been shown to be related to well-being in older adults, women with breast cancer, women with AIDS, gay men with AIDS, and a healthy population. The purpose of this descriptive pilot study was to examine self-transcendence in another high-priority population: older men with prostate cancer. A convenience sample of 23 men, age 60 and older (M = 69), from three prostate cancer support groups completed Reed's Self-Transcendence Scale (STS) and a demographic data form. The men were predominantly white (82.6%), of the Catholic faith (56.5%), married (78.3%), and not working (87.0%). Over half (65.2%) had a college degree or higher; most viewed their health as good (69.6%) or excellent (21.7%); and the majority (56.5%) viewed their prostate cancer as affecting some of their daily activities. These men scored high on the STS (M = 50.07), which was consistent with previous findings in other populations. Findings of this study contribute to Reed's middle-range theory of self-transcendence. The discovery that self-transcendence is relevant to this group of older men with prostate cancer provides a basis for nurses to investigate the phenomenon in this population and help their clients explore the benefits of the self-transcendence resource.

Relationship between self-transcendence and physically-healthy patients under hemodialysis in participating in peer-support group; a randomized clinical trial

“…The results of the present study are consistent with Jadid Milani et al who studied patients undergoing multiple sclerosis (12). However, our results are inconsistent with Chin-A-Loy and Fernsler (34). Further, the results of our study were inconsistent with Chen et al, who examined the contribution of increased self-transcendence and positive attitude in nursing students in the university of America to the care provided to the elderly.…”

Spiritual and Alternative Healthcare Practices of the Amish

“…24,25 Self-transcendence, quality of life, and well-being are explored in vulnerable populations that have been given a life-changing diagnosis, such as persons with AIDS and breast cancer, or in populations such as the homeless. [26][27][28][29][30] Finally, the significance of this concept has been explored with healthy populations. 31,32 No prior research using Reed's theory of self-transcendence have been conducted among the Amish.…”

Spirituality and meaning in supportive care: spirituality- and meaning-centered group psychotherapy interventions in advanced cancer

“…[51]) to those based on concepts and theories of self-transcendence [12,21,43], and those based on Viktor Frankl's logotherapy [50 , 62, 88]. The majority of this psychotherapy intervention work has utilized the related concepts of "self-transcendence" and "meaning" as developed by such theoreticians as Viktor Frankl [35,36,37,38] and Pamela Reed [63,64,65,66].…”

“…Self-transcendence has been shown, primarily in the nursing literature, to be associated with indicators of well-being and mental health in older adults, women with breast cancer, women with AIDS, gay men with AIDS, and older men with prostate cancer [12,17,18,19,20,21,66]. Two recent pilot studies have examined self-transcendence in women with breast cancer [21] and prostate cancer [12].…”

“…Two recent pilot studies have examined self-transcendence in women with breast cancer [21] and prostate cancer [12]. Chin-A-Loy and Fernsler performed a descriptive study of a convenience sample of 24 men with prostate cancer who were already attending a general cancer support group.…”