May Aasebo Hauken
University of Bergen, Norway
Posters & Accepted Abstracts: J Nurs Care
Background: Young adult cancer survivors (YACS) are a small and understudied group, with increased risk of lateeffects.
Cognitive therapy (CT) is a promising intervention to enhance coping in survivorship, but research into CT
interventions and how YACS experience these are lacking. Thus, the objective of this study was to explore YACSâ??
experiences of CT in a rehabilitation program.
Methods: The study applied a phenomenological-hermeneutical approach, including 17 YACS who completed a sixmonth
rehabilitation program, including CT. Semi-structured interviews were conducted and the transcripts were
analyzed using Systematic Text Condensation.
Results: The analyses revealed two main themes and three corresponding subthemes. The first theme, â??CT as a toolâ??,
was elaborated by the subthemes â??education and practicingâ??, â??follow-upâ?? and â??internalizationâ??. The second theme, â??the
perceived usefulness of CTâ??, was clarified by the three subthemes â??changed thought patternsâ??, â??insight and acceptanceâ??
and â??handling a new life-situationâ??.
Conclusions: The participants experienced CT as a useful tool in their rehabilitation process, dependent upon
education, practicing and follow-up before it could be internalized. Additionally, the YACS expressed that CT
changed their thought patterns and helped them achieve insight and acceptance as an important basis to handle
their new life-situations. The results cannot be generalized, and further research is warranted.
May Aasebø Hauken is an Associate Professor at Centre for Crisis Psychology, Faculty of Psychology, University of Bergen, Norway.
E-mail: may.hauken@uib.no
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