Content analysis of postings in a stomach cancer survivor and caregiver support group on Facebook.

2015 ◽  
Vol 33 (3_suppl) ◽  
pp. 223-223
Author(s):  
James Randolph Hillard
Keyword(s):  
Mental Health ◽  
Cancer Patients ◽  
Stomach Cancer ◽  
Support Groups ◽  
Mental Health Professionals ◽  
Good News ◽  
New Members ◽  
Caregiver Support ◽  
New Treatments ◽  
Age Range

223 Background: Patients diagnosed with cancer are increasingly turning to patient created social media groups to connect with others suffering from similar conditions. These groups allow sharing of information and support between their members, without involving medical or mental health professionals. This study examines the content of communications within one of these groups in order to identify the needs these groups are addressing, and in order to explore implications for mental health. Methods: This study focuses on a single Facebook group for stomach cancer patients and caregivers which has grown from 239 members a year ago to 1,128 members now and which has been operating for about four years. Two thirds of members are cancer patients, and the rest are caregivers. About 75% of members are from the US. The age range is 40-79, with a mean of 54. Members are 55% women, and 80% are middle class. Most members have been in the group for six to twelve months. The site averages about five original posts and about 50 responses a day. 100 consecutive posts were assigned to one of 12 pre-selected content categories. Results: Primary purpose of each of 100 consecutive posts (1) Sharing updates on their condition: 14 (2) Questions about treatment side effects: 13 (3) General requests for information: 13 (4) Requests for support or prayers: 11 (5) Sharing good news: 11 (6) Welcoming new members: 11 (7) Giving general support: 9 (8) Announcing a death: 5 (9) Sharing information about new treatments: 5 (10) Sharing humor: 4 (11) Sharing bad news: 2 (12) Asking "How are you?": 2. Conclusions: This Facebook group served many of the same functions that are served by face to face support groups for cancer patients. Members routinely shared intimate details with each other, and they routinely asked questions about their illness that they could not get answers to anywhere else. Leaderless Facebook groups such as this one are an important, and little studied, psychological resource for patients suffering from cancer.

Mental Health of Cancer Patients

1994 ◽  
Vol 74 (3) ◽  
pp. 914-914
Author(s):  
Kiran Bala Verma ◽  
Madhu Asthana
Keyword(s):  
Mental Health ◽  
Health Status ◽  
Cancer Patients ◽  
Mental Health Status ◽  
Control Group ◽  
Age Range ◽  
Normal Adults

To examine the mental health status of cancer patients, each of 50 cancer patients and 50 healthy normal adults of an age range of 32 to 65 years was given the Hindi version of the Mithila Mental Health Status Inventory of Kumar and Thakur. Analyses indicated that cancer patients scored higher than the control group on four of the five subscales showing poorer mental health than their normal peers.

Management of Clinical Depression and Anxiety

2017 ◽  
Keyword(s):  
Mental Health ◽  
Cancer Patients ◽  
Mental Health Professionals ◽  
Health Professionals ◽  
Psychological Treatment ◽  
Anxiety And Depression ◽  
Depression And Anxiety ◽  
Comprehensive Description ◽  
Psychiatric Emergencies ◽  
Self Harm

This companion guide for clinicians working with oncology patients outlines clinical management of depression, demoralization and anxiety in a pragmatic format for use in everyday practice. The specific aim is to describe treatments that can be utilized by cancer clinicians and by mental health professionals training in psycho-oncology. The guide is not intended to replace national clinical guidelines and policies but gives a more generic international overview of the important factors and elements that need to be considered when dealing with clinical anxiety and depression in cancer patients at all points on the treatment trajectory. The guide covers assessment methods for clinical anxiety, demoralization and depression, psychopharmacological and psychological treatment methods, along with information on dealing with psychiatric emergencies and self-harm issues. The guide does not offer a comprehensive description of psychotherapy techniques: these can be found in the IPOS Handbook of Psychotherapy in Cancer Care. Policies, service issues, ethical, confidentiality, and communication issues are also covered. The guide is intended as a brief pocketbook manual that can be used for quick reference.

Caring for people who take care: What is already done?

2021 ◽  
pp. 1-11
Author(s):  
Carolina Oliveira ◽  
Gabriela Fonseca ◽  
Neide P. Areia ◽  
Luciana Sotero ◽  
Ana Paula Relvas
Keyword(s):  
Mental Health ◽  
Palliative Care ◽  
Cancer Patients ◽  
Family Caregivers ◽  
Mental Health Professionals ◽  
Technology Use ◽  
Intervention Programs ◽  
The Family ◽  
Psychological Symptomatology ◽  
Care Approach

Abstract Objective The growing prevalence and impact of cancer on the family system calls for a palliative care approach with the family as the unit of care. This study aimed at providing an overview of the intervention programs that have been developed to offer support to the family caregivers of oncologic patients receiving palliative care. Method Sixteen articles were included in the final review, encompassing (i) studies focused on intervention programs with family caregivers of cancer patients in palliative care, (ii) studies including a pre- and post-test evaluation of the intervention program, (iii) and studies whose cancer patients were at least 18 years old. Results A great heterogeneity was verified with respect to care settings, number of sessions, outcome measures, or timing of assessment within the reviewed programs. These findings mirrored the complexity of the palliative care approach, which is difficult to standardize. Nonetheless, some interventions with different features accomplished good and sometimes similar results. The studies’ main outcomes were clustered in five categories: psychological symptomatology, general quality of life, caregiving role, family relational variables, and bereavement/grief. Moreover, 44% of the main outcomes were psychological symptomatology of family caregivers, with an emphasis toward anxiety and depression. Also shown was a growing emergence of technology use among these interventions. Significance of results Results revealed a scarcity of family-oriented programs and lack of certified mental health professionals as interventionists. Future studies and interventions should focus on the positive outcomes of the caregiving experience and must acknowledge the cultural differences when trying to replicate programs. Considering that there is no precise formula for dealing with terminal illness and grief, we submit that family-centered and systemic lenses are excellent approaches for support during this adjustment process. In conclusion, the present study advocates for increased investment in the field, underscoring the importance of family caregivers’ mental health.

Pet Bereavement Support Groups: A Guide for Mental Health Professionals

2017 ◽  
Vol 12 (4) ◽  
pp. 440-450 ◽  
Author(s):  
Chelsey L. Hess-Holden ◽  
Christy L. Monaghan ◽  
Cheryl A. Justice
Keyword(s):  
Mental Health ◽  
Support Groups ◽  
Mental Health Professionals ◽  
Health Professionals ◽  
Bereavement Support ◽  
Pet Bereavement

scholarly journals Assessing the New Normal: Dangers Related to the Internet Use and Risks Facing Vulnerable Psychiatric Populations

2019 ◽  
Vol 4 (2) ◽  
pp. 81
Author(s):  
J’Andra Antisdel
Keyword(s):  
Mental Health ◽  
Social Media ◽  
Support Groups ◽  
Mental Health Professionals ◽  
Health Professionals ◽  
Full Text ◽  
Internet Use ◽  
Screening Methods ◽  
Screening Process ◽  
Health Screenings

Background: Despite the social and cultural changes surrounding the immergence of social media and the risks related to internet use for adolescents, mental health screenings have not changed to assess the psycho-social implications of social media and internet use in general as social supportPurpose: Mental health professionals who assess patient use of social media and internet will be informed of dangerous online support groups promoting negative coping behaviors and risk or occurrence of psychological, physical or sexual abuse arising from dangerous internet use.Method: The following databases were searched: Academic Search Premier, CINAHL Plus with Full Text, Health Source: Nursing/Academic Edition, MEDLINE, PsycARTICLES, PsycINFO, and SocINDEX with Full Text, using a combination of search terms self-harm, and Internet with Boolean phrase and, and limiters including publication years between 2010-2018.Conclusion: During the screening process, mental health professionals can begin to address this emergent concern by asking internet specific questions designed to inform the professional about patient risk concerning social media and internet use. It is important to continue to assess and evaluate screening methods to ensure mental health screenings are adapting to the changing technological world. Social media and internet use have changed the way humans communicate and form social connections. It is imperative mental health professionals assess the implications of dangerous social media and internet use concerning mental health.

“I was Just Trying to Stick it Out Until I Realized that I Couldn'T”: A Phenomenological Investigation of Support Seeking among Older Adults with Complicated Grief

2014 ◽  
Vol 68 (1) ◽  
pp. 1-22 ◽  
Author(s):  
Angela Ghesquiere
Keyword(s):  
Mental Health ◽  
Older Adults ◽  
Support Groups ◽  
Mental Health Professionals ◽  
Complicated Grief ◽  
Phenomenological Approach ◽  
Health Condition ◽  
Effective Care ◽  
Evidence Based Treatments ◽  
Support Seeking

Complicated Grief (CG) is a prolonged, impairing mental health condition affecting about 7% of the bereaved. CG may be especially prevalent in older adults. Though evidence-based treatments for CG have been developed, little is known about support-seeking in older adults with CG. This study used the descriptive phenomenological approach to explore the CG support-seeking process. In-depth interviews were conducted with 8 CG-positive older adults who had completed participation in a randomized clinical trial of CG treatment. Five primary themes arose: observing that grief was causing a great deal of distress and impairment; grief not meeting expectations of what grief “should be”; an important influence of social relationships on support-seeking; lack of effectiveness of grief support groups and/or care from mental health professionals prior to study enrollment; and strong reactions to the label of CG. Themes may hep inform efforts to engage older adults with CG in effective care.

The Experiences of Mental Health Professionals Using Structured Family-Centered Interventions to Support Children of Cancer Patients

2010 ◽  
Vol 33 (6) ◽  
pp. E18-E27 ◽  
Author(s):  
Mika Niemelä ◽  
Leena Väisänen ◽  
Catherine Marshall ◽  
Helinä Hakko ◽  
Sami Räsänen
Keyword(s):  
Mental Health ◽  
Cancer Patients ◽  
Mental Health Professionals ◽  
Health Professionals ◽  
Family Centered

scholarly journals The Design and Implementation of Cancer Patient Support Groups in Rural Haiti

2018 ◽  
Vol 4 (Supplement 2) ◽  
pp. 89s-89s
Author(s):  
O. Deshommes ◽  
L. Greenberg ◽  
L. Haskins ◽  
B.F. Pierre ◽  
P.-G. Désameau
Keyword(s):  
Mental Health ◽  
Cancer Patient ◽  
Medical Treatment ◽  
Cancer Patients ◽  
Support Groups ◽  
Low Income ◽  
Critical Role ◽  
University Hospital ◽  
Psychosocial Needs ◽  
Patient Support

Background: In Haiti, cancer is associated with myths that have traumatic effects on patients and families. Cancer diagnoses are drivers of socioeconomic change, with psychological repercussions for an impoverished population. Aware of this reality, the Oncology Service at University Hospital of Mirebalais (HUM) created a dedicated psychosocial team, composed of a social worker, her assistant and a psychologist. Care is provided to patients and families through: individual counseling, support groups, outreach activities, home visits, and mental health consults. This abstract focuses on patient support groups (SG). SGs act as vectors of information and training that are capable of breaking myths, and accompanying patients on their cancer journey. Aim: The primary aim of SGs is to create a space for patients to participate in education and peer counseling. During sessions, the team encourages expressions of emotions and experiences in relation to the disease and its repercussions on patients and caregivers. These discussions encourage participant solidarity and strengthen compliance to treatments. SGs, however, are not static and services are continuously improved by collecting feedback. Methods: To address the psychosocial needs of each cancer patient, SGs were developed with specificity. Patients are categorized in SGs according to the medical treatment they are receiving. Other SGs offered, focus on caregiver experience. SGs have about 12 participants, last 120 minutes and are held in a private space in HUM. In general, discussions relate to patient experience, side effects, relationship implications, and socio-economic impacts. Across all SGs, principles for speaking are negotiated and are always at discretion of participants. Results: The HUM team has provided SG services since 2013. SGs are held often and the majority of oncology patients participate. In 2017, we held 30 SGs with over 380 participants. Therapeutic alliances have improved relationships: patient–patient, family–patient, and patient-clinician - fostering interdisciplinary collaboration. However, all SGs must be performed the same day as the medical appointment due to socio-economic difficulties that can create logistical challenges. Patient needs are also fluid and flexibility is key as SGs evolve. Conclusion: SGs play a critical role in comprehensive cancer care, particularly in Haiti where there are severe social implications for patients. Mental health of cancer patients is critical and SGs are an impactful way to address this need. Arranging SGs by medical treatment, the model used at HUM, is adaptable to other low-income settings. Every SG is different and facilitators approach each session without preconceptions, yet diligent to gather feedback. SGs provide critical information to clinicians about social determinants and implications of cancer diagnoses in Haiti. In the future, we hope to do robust qualitative analysis of SGs, using feedback from cancer patients at HUM.

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