Clarifying "meaning" in the context of cancer research: a systematic literature review.
OBJECTIVE
This article synthesizes the published literature related to the construct of meaning in the adult cancer population.


METHODS
The databases CancerLit, CINAHL, Medline, PsychINFO, and the Journal of Psychosocial Oncology and PsychoOncology were searched to identify all studies related to meaning. The methodological aspects of all studies are described and the conceptual aspects are summarized only from those studies that met criteria for methodological rigor and validity of findings. The definitions for global meaning, appraised meaning, search for meaning, and meaning as outcome as proposed by Park and Folkman were used to interpret the findings.


RESULTS
Of 44 studies identified, 26 met the criteria for methodological rigor. There is strong empirical and qualitative evidence of a relationship between meaning as an outcome of and psychosocial adjustment to cancer.


CONCLUSIONS
The qualitative findings are considered useful for the development of psychosocial interventions aimed at helping cancer patients cope with and even derive positive benefit from their experience. However, variations in the conceptual and operational definitions, frequent reliance on homogeneous and convenience sampling, and the lack of experimental designs are considered to be methodological limitations that need to be addressed to advance the study of meaning in the context of cancer.
Lee
Virginia
V
School of Nursing, McGill University, Montreal, Quebec H3G 1A4, Canada. virginia.lee@mail.mcgill.ca
Cohen
S Robin
SR
Edgar
Linda
L
Laizner
Andrea M
AM
Gagnon
Anita J
AJ
D000223:Adaptation, Psychological; D001294:Attitude to Health; D006801:Humans; D009369:Neoplasms / Q000523:psychology*; D012106:Research