Positive Psychological Change Following a Cancer Diagnosis in Old Age: A Mixed-Methods Study.
Aasha I Hoogland, Heather S L Jim, Nancy E Schoenberg and 2 others
PMID 31833920WHAT IT FOUND
Older cancer survivors reported high well-being and mental quality of life above age norms, with appreciation of life strongest.
Faith and family support were common. Older age linked to less growth, not less well-being.
Key findings
01Older cancer survivors reported mean posttraumatic growth of 53.98 among the 49 who completed all growth questions, and mean well-being of 6.05.
02Mental quality of life was higher than the age norm (55.37 versus 50.06), while physical quality of life was not different (37.95 versus 38.68).
03Older age was linked to lower posttraumatic growth, but not to lower well-being.
STILL TO COME
How it was doneWhat they foundWhat it means for RNs
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What it does not show
Only 56 older adults were studied, and 34 gave qualitative responses, so results are limited and may not represent all older cancer survivors. The response rate was 31.9%, and survivors who returned surveys may have been healthier or more positive. The study was cross-sectional, so it cannot show that cancer caused positive change or how change unfolds over time. The sample was mostly White, non-Hispanic, married, and from Kentucky, with higher breast and blood or bone cancer rates and lower lung and colon cancer rates than national patterns. Cancer stage and treatment details were not analyzed, and time since diagnosis varied, including three participants diagnosed 122 to 363 months earlier. There was no comparison group of older adults without cancer, and quality of life scores were self-reported.
Declared interests
The supplied text does not include an author conflict-of-interest declaration. The article is listed as supported by NIH extramural research funding.
The easy way to misread this
Do not conclude that cancer reliably produces positive growth or that older adults need less psychosocial support. These were self-reported cross-sectional ratings in a small, mostly White Kentucky sample with a low response rate, and positive change can coexist with distress.