title: Surrender as a form of active acceptance among breast cancer survivors receiving Psycho-Spiritual Integrative Therapy.
abstract: OBJECTIVE
  The purpose of this study was to describe a domain of spiritual coping known as "surrender," as experienced among women diagnosed with breast cancer who participated in Psycho-Spiritual Integrative Therapy (PSIT). Surrender is a concept similar to active acceptance, which has been studied extensively, but surrender in the context of spiritual supportive care has received little attention.
  
  
  METHODS
  After participating in PSIT, which includes exercises in surrender, 23 participants completed an open-ended questionnaire about their experiences of surrender. Twelve women whose responses were most complete and expressive were selected to be analyzed for this study. A thematic analysis was conducted to better understand how surrender experiences may contribute to supportive care.
  
  
  RESULTS
  Four distinct themes were identified: experience of surrender, facilitation of surrender, inhibition of surrender, and ease and completeness of surrender. Although the manifestations of surrender varied, women were consistent in describing these experiences positively.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  These findings build upon previous evidence that spirituality, optimism, and active acceptance have a positive impact on well-being in cancer patients. The findings provide insight into the usefulness of PSIT for women with breast cancer and inform future research on the intervention.
authors.affiliation: Institute of Transpersonal Psychology, Palo Alto, CA, USA.
authors.forename: Lisa
authors.initials: L
authors.lastname: Rosequist
authors.forename: Kathleen
authors.initials: K
authors.lastname: Wall
authors.forename: Diana
authors.initials: D
authors.lastname: Corwin
authors.forename: Jeanne
authors.initials: J
authors.lastname: Achterberg
authors.forename: Cheryl
authors.initials: C
authors.lastname: Koopman
mesh_terms: D000328:Adult; D001294:Attitude to Health; D001943:Breast Neoplasms / Q000523:psychology*; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D008875:Middle Aged; D011613:Psychotherapy / Q000379:methods*; D029181:Spirituality; D011795:Surveys and Questionnaires; D017741:Survivors / Q000523:psychology*