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A qualitative study of breast cancer self‐help groups
Author(s) -
Gray Ross,
Fitch Margaret,
Davis Christine,
Phillips Catherine
Publication year - 1997
Publication title -
psycho‐oncology
Language(s) - English
Resource type - Journals
SCImago Journal Rank - 1.41
H-Index - 137
eISSN - 1099-1611
pISSN - 1057-9249
DOI - 10.1002/(sici)1099-1611(199712)6:4<279::aid-pon280>3.0.co;2-0
Subject(s) - feeling , breast cancer , support group , qualitative research , psychology , laughter , social psychology , medical education , medicine , cancer , sociology , psychiatry , social science
Abstract This study reports on the experience of women in four community breast cancer self‐help groups in Ontario, Canada. Semi‐structured interviews were conducted with 24 women, asking them about benefits and limitations of their group involvement, and about their perspectives on group processes and structures. Overall, participants reported their group involvement to be extremely helpful for navigating the short and long‐term impact of breast cancer. Emotional support benefits included connecting with other breast cancer survivors, feeling understood and sharing experiences, providing hope, and sharing healing laughter. Informational and practical support benefits included sharing of important information and learning how to get what you want. Even where there were concerns about limitations or tensions of group experience, these occurred against a backdrop of appreciation and commitment. From the discussion of group processes and structures, a number of issues were identified as problematic. Most notable were how to deal with deaths of group members and how to balance the group's primary purpose of providing mutual support with secondary goals of dealing with group business and engaging in meaningful advocacy. © 1997 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.