Evidence map›Paper›PMID 38785201›Full record

ArticleCancer medicine2024

A qualitative study on redefining normality in relatives of patients with advanced cancer.

Helen P A Driessen, Evi M Bakker, Judith A C Rietjens, Khanh L N Luu, Marjolein Lugtenberg, Frederika E Witkamp, Leonieke W Kranenburg

Erratum issuedAbstract read
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In one paragraph

Article in Cancer medicine, 2024. The graph could read no effect estimate from its abstract, so it casts no vote on the map. An erratum has been issued. Cited by 1 paper.

0numbers the graph read from it
0cells of the map it votes in
1citing papers in PubMed
–field-weighted citation impact
1 · What the graph read from it

What it found

Each row is one number read from the abstract, on the scale the paper reported it, with its interval. Left of the dashed line favours the treatment, right favours the comparator. Under each row is the sentence it came from. New to these charts? A ten-minute tutorial.

The abstract states no effect estimate the extractor could read, or names no intervention and outcome on the map, so this paper lights no cell and moves no belief. It is still indexed, cited and linked below.

2 · The registry

The trial behind it

Trials whose registry record cites this paper, or whose number appears in the abstract. A trial that started after this paper was published is citing it as background, not reporting it.

Neither the registry nor the abstract names a trial number. If this is a trial report, that itself is worth knowing.

3 · Its place in the literature

Who cites it

1 citing paper in PubMed.

  1. Article
4 · The record

Corrections and comments

5 · Who and what money

Authors and funding

7 authors.

Helen P A DriessenDepartment of Psychiatry, Section of Medical Psychology and Psychotherapy, Erasmus MC, University Medical Center Rotterdam, Rotterdam, The Netherlands.ORCID 0000-0001-8521-5980
Evi M BakkerResearch Center Innovations in Care, Rotterdam University of Applied Sciences, Rotterdam, The Netherlands.ORCID 0000-0001-9012-4151
Judith A C RietjensResearch Center Innovations in Care, Rotterdam University of Applied Sciences, Rotterdam, The Netherlands.ORCID 0000-0002-0538-5603
Khanh L N LuuResearch Center Innovations in Care, Rotterdam University of Applied Sciences, Rotterdam, The Netherlands.ORCID 0000-0001-7812-0609
Marjolein LugtenbergDepartment of Public Health, Erasmus MC, University Medical Center Rotterdam, Rotterdam, The Netherlands.ORCID 0000-0002-4117-2154
Frederika E WitkampResearch Center Innovations in Care, Rotterdam University of Applied Sciences, Rotterdam, The Netherlands.ORCID 0000-0001-7475-0363
Leonieke W KranenburgDepartment of Psychiatry, Section of Medical Psychology and Psychotherapy, Erasmus MC, University Medical Center Rotterdam, Rotterdam, The Netherlands.ORCID 0000-0001-5941-1056

Funding

Dutch Research Council (NWO), Innovational Research Incentives Scheme Vidi. 91717386
6 · The paper itself

Abstract

objectiveTo obtain insight into adaptation processes of redefining normality and its influencing factors in relatives of patients with advanced cancer.

methodsAn exploratory qualitative study among relatives of patients with advanced cancer was conducted. Participants were purposively recruited. Ten in-depth individual (relative only) and 16 dyad (relative and patient together) interviews were conducted, transcribed verbatim, and analyzed by means of thematic analysis, drawing on elements of grounded theory, combining both inductive and deductive elements.

resultsTwo adaptation processes of (redefining) normality were identified: assimilation and accommodation. The latter was found to be the main way of adapting to new events. Assimilative coping strategies entailed "continuing to do the same activities as done before the disease," "difficulty accepting the situation," "avoiding to think about the disease," and "living in the short term." Accommodative strategies involved "arranging practical matters," "thinking about the future," "doing what is feasible," "engaging in new activities," "accepting the situation," "seeking distraction," "living in the short term," and "focusing on what truly matters in life." The interplay between the diagnosis and treatment of cancer, a deteriorating disease status, and the accompanying uncertainty about the future was of influence on the relatives' coping strategies.

conclusionWhen the new situation is too divergent to assimilate, accommodation may be necessary for relatives to cope with the growing complexity of the consequences of their loved one's illness. Accommodative coping then involves accepting the changing reality and actively making the necessary adjustments to build resilience and cope with the new circumstances.

Indexed as

Adaptation, PsychologicalFamilyNeoplasmsQualitative ResearchAdultAgedAged, 80 and overFemaleHumansMaleMiddle Agedaccommodationadaptation, psychologicaladvanced cancerassimilationfamilyneoplasmspalliative carequalitative research

Identifiers

PMID38785201
PMCPMC11117454

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Read under generation 80e0d062 · epoch 390. Bibliography from PubMed, PubMed Central and OpenAlex; grants from NIH RePORTER; trial links from ClinicalTrials.gov; estimates, votes and beliefs from the OpenQuestion graph.