Support Groups in Coping with Cancer

Abstract

The article discusses characteristics and the helpful and potentially risky aspects of cancer support groups. One of the primary objectives of cancer treatment is enhancement of patients’ cognitive, psychological and emotional well-being. Patients with cancer need effective psychosocial interventions to improve their illness adjustment. Support groups are one type of intervention instruments for patients and have been shown to have beneficial outcomes on psychosocial well-being. In general, people join support groups when their natural social support network is inadequate, or unable to meet their psychosocial needs. Participation in support groups by patients with cancer is associated with reduced levels of depression and anxiety, and with improvement in quality of life, problem focused coping strategies and illness adaptation. On the other hand, many benefits can be derived from cancer support groups, but there are also potentially some of the challenges patients may encounter. It may be difficult to consider the needs of the members in a group, and some patients may be neglected. In addition, patients who disclose information about themselves without getting appropriate support from the group leader and other members may be harmed by the group experience. 

Keywords

• Cancer,support group

KANSERLE BAŞETMEDE DESTEK GRUPLARI

Abstract

Bu makalede, kanser destek gruplarının özelliklerinin yanı sıra, hastalar açısından hem yararlı olan hem de potansiyel riskler taşıyan yönleri tartışılmaktadır. Kanser tedavisinin temel amaçlarından birisi hastaların bilişsel, psikolojik ve duygusal esenliklerinin korunmasıdır. Kanser hastaları hastalığa uyum sağlayabilmek için etkili psiko-sosyal müdahalelere gereksinim duyarlar. Destek grupları hastalar için bu müdahale araçlarından birisidir ve destek grupları sayesinde psiko-sosyal esenlik bakımından yararlı sonuçlar elde edildiği görülmektedir. İnsanlar genelde, doğal sosyal destek ağları yetersiz olduğunda ya da psiko-sosyal gereksinimleri karşılanamadığında destek gruplarına katılmaktadırlar. Kanser hastalarının destek gruplarına katılması azalan düzeylerde depresyon ve anksiyetenin yanı sıra artan yaşam kalitesi, sorun odaklı başetme stratejileri ve hastalık uyumuna işaret etmektedir. Öte yandan, kanser destek gruplarının birçok yararı olsa da, hastaların karşılaşması olası bazı riskler potansiyel olarak mevcuttur. Grupta üyelerin tümüne eşit davranılması güç olabilir ve bazı hastalar ihmal edilebilir. Ayrıca, kendileri hakkında bilgi paylaşan hastalar grup liderinden ve diğer üyelerden uygun desteği alamadığında grup deneyiminden zarar görebilirler. 

Keywords

• Kanser,destek grubu

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