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Differences in depressed oncologic patients' narratives after receiving two different therapeutic interventions for depression: a qualitative study
Author(s) -
Rodríguez Vega Beatriz,
Orgaz Barnier Pablo,
Bayón Carmen,
Palao Ángela,
Torres Guadalupe,
Hospital Ana,
Benito Guillermo,
Dieguez Maria,
Fernández Liria Alberto
Publication year - 2012
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/pon.2036
Subject(s) - psychological intervention , coping (psychology) , psychology , qualitative research , clinical psychology , psychotherapist , grounded theory , focus group , narrative , transformative learning , depression (economics) , group psychotherapy , medicine , psychiatry , developmental psychology , social science , linguistics , philosophy , marketing , sociology , economics , business , macroeconomics
Background This study aims to explore differences in personal narratives of the experience of illness and treatment in depressed oncologic patients who received either combined treatment for depression (psychotherapy plus antidepressants) or standard treatment (antidepressants alone). Methods We employed a qualitative research design based on grounded theory. Data were collected from eight videotaped focus groups and semi‐structured interviews with a total of 28 participants. The research team reviewed interview transcripts and categorized the participants' responses using the ATLAS.ti (ATLAS.ti Scientific Software Development GmbH Hardenbergstr. 7 D‐10623, Berlin) software package. Results Compared with patients in the standard treatment group, patients in the combined treatment group were better able to relate their experiences of physical and emotional discomfort and find meaning in the experience of illness by viewing cancer as a transformative experience. In addition, patients in the combined treatment group tended to use more active coping strategies based on acceptance of their situation and emphasized that psychotherapy had been helpful. Conclusions Qualitative analysis is an efficient method of examining the meaning of quantitative results in depth, particularly patients' perspectives on quality of life. Patients undergoing combined treatment consider psychotherapy to be a helpful tool and exhibit more personal growth than do patients undergoing standard treatment. Copyright © 2011 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.