Transforming Pain into a Purpose: Post-Traumatic Growth and Life Meaning in Gynaecological Cancer

Year 2024, Issue: 6, 30 - 37, 13.11.2024

Yağmur Berktaş , Kamile Kabukcuoğlu

https://doi.org/10.26650/CURARE.2024.1573108

Abstract

Objective: This study explores the transformative journey of women diagnosed with gynaecological cancer, focusing on how post-traumatic growth (PTG) occurs and how the search for meaning in life intertwines with the recovery process. By examining the relationship between PTG and the search for life meaning through various socio-demographic factors, this research highlights the inner strength and resilience that often emerge during some of life’s most challenging moments.

Method: A cross-sectional, descriptive, and correlational design was applied, involving 134 women undergoing treatment for gynaecological cancer. Data were collected using the Personal Information Form, Post-Traumatic Growth Inventory (PTGI), and Meaning in Life Questionnaire (MLQ). Statistical analyses were conducted to explore the relationships between the key psychological and demographic variables.

Results: Participants, with a mean age of 58.47 ± 12.47 years, reported profound growth in areas like spiritual understanding and meaning in life, although they faced challenges in rediscovering new interests and setting life goals. PTG levels were higher among married women and parents, and those with moderate incomes reported a deeper sense of meaning in life. A positive correlation between PTG and meaning in life emerged, indicating that personal growth is closely tied to finding purpose after trauma.

Conclusion: The findings highlight that many women with gynaecological cancer experience meaningful personal transformation, suggesting that addressing both psychosocial and existential dimensions is crucial in cancer care. Healthcare professionals, especially nurses, should adopt patient-centred, compassionate approaches that nurture resilience and support growth. Future research is encouraged to explore how cultural nuances shape PTG and meaning-seeking processes, offering deeper insights for holistic cancer care.

Keywords

Gynaecological cancer, post-traumatic growth, meaning in life, nursing care, women

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