Transformation of tragedy among women surviving breast cancer.
OBJECTIVE
To describe the process of how women with breast cancer attribute positive meaning to their illness.


METHODS
Descriptive, qualitative.


METHODS
Major metropolitan area in the southwestern United States.


METHODS
Twenty-four women diagnosed with breast cancer within the past two years.


METHODS
Data collected during semistructured interviews were coded and analyzed using Grounded Theory techniques.


METHODS
Process and outcomes of ascribing positive meanings to cancer.


RESULTS
The author observed a basic social-psychospiritual process of transforming personal tragedy. This process involved phases labeled as encountering darkness, converting darkness, encountering light, and reflecting light.


CONCLUSIONS
Varying degrees of positive meaning can be attributed to breast cancer. Encountering the darkness and moving through the other phases are normal and adaptive.


CONCLUSIONS
Recognizing that positive meanings are independent of questions of causality but that encountering the darkness is necessary for transformation can help patients and nurses to face tragedy. Future research should seek to understand why some patients get "stuck" encountering or converting darkness.
Taylor
E J
EJ
University of Southern California, Los Angeles, USA. ejtaylor@hsc.usc.edu
D000223:Adaptation, Psychological; D000328:Adult; D000368:Aged; D001943:Breast Neoplasms / Q000451:nursing / Q000523:psychology*; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D007407:Interviews as Topic; D008875:Middle Aged; D008960:Models, Psychological; D012959:Socioeconomic Factors; D017741:Survivors / Q000523:psychology*