Meaning of Life Therapy: A Pilot Study of a Novel Psycho-Existential Intervention for Palliative Care in Cancer-Reference-Cited by-同舟云学术

Meaning of Life Therapy: A Pilot Study of a Novel Psycho-Existential Intervention for Palliative Care in Cancer

Published:2023-10-26 Issue: Volume: Page:
ISSN:0030-2228
Container-title:OMEGA - Journal of Death and Dying
language:en
Short-container-title:Omega (Westport)

Author:

Cardoso Ana Rita¹,Remondes-Costa Sónia²,Veiga Elisa³,Almeida Vera⁴⁵,Rocha José⁴,Teixeira Ricardo João⁶⁷,Macedo Gerly⁸,Leite Manuela⁴⁹^ORCID

Affiliation:

1. Casa de Saúde do Telhal, Instituto São João de Deus, Lisboa, Portugal

2. Department of Education and Psychology, School of Human and Social Sciences, University of Trás-os-Montes e Alto Douro, Vila Real, Portugal

3. Faculty of Education and Psychology, Universidade Católica Portuguesa, Research Centre for Human Development, Porto, Portugal

4. Department of Social and Behavioural Sciences, University Institute of Health Sciences(IUCS), CESPU, Gandra, Portugal

5. UNIPRO, Oral Pathology and Rehabilitation Research Unit, University Institute of Health Sciences(IUCS), CESPU, Gandra, Portugal

6. CINEICC- Faculty of Psychology and Education Sciences, University of Coimbra, Coimbra, Portugal

7. REACH - Mental Health Clinic, Porto, Portugal

8. Clinical and Health Psychology Unit, Psychiatry and Mental Health Service, Hospital da Senhora de Oliveira de Guimarães, Guimarães, Portugal

9. iHealth4Well-being - Innovation in Health and Well-Being, Research Unit, Instituto Politécnico de Saúde do Norte, CESPU, Penafiel, Portugal

Abstract

Intervention in Palliative Care aims to provide physical, psychosocial, and spiritual relief for patients and family members. Brief interventions with a psycho-existential approach have shown positive responses; however, cultural adaptations are needed. This pilot study aimed to develop the Meaning of Life Therapy (MLT), a novel psycho-existential intervention, rooted in the Dignity Therapy, Life Review, and Meaning-Centered Psychotherapy. MLT was culturally adapted to the Portuguese context to include questions about forgiveness, apology, reconciliation, farewell, and a legacy document, i.e., the Life Letter. Nine PC cancer patients answered a 14-question MLT protocol, intended to help patients find purpose and meaning in life. Eight themes emerged: Family, Preservation of Identity, Life Retrospective, Clinical Situation, Achievements, Socio-Professional Valorization, Forgiveness/Apology/Reconciliation, and Saying Goodbye. MLT has proved its ability to respond to the psycho-existential needs of PC patients. Further studies should be conducted to gain extensive knowledge of the effectiveness of culturally responsive interventions.

Funder

IINFACTS – Institute of Research and Advanced Training in Health Sciences and Technologies

Publisher

SAGE Publications

Subject

Life-span and Life-course Studies,Critical Care and Intensive Care Medicine,Health (social science)

Link

http://journals.sagepub.com/doi/pdf/10.1177/00302228231209654

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