Open AccessContingent hope theory: The developmental exploration of hope and identity reconciliation among young adults with advanced cancers
Author(s) -
Jennifer CurrinMcCulloch,
Casey Walsh,
Lauren E. Gulbas,
Kelly M. Trevino,
Elizabeth C. Pomeroy,
Barbara Jones
Publication year - 2020
Publication title -
palliative and supportive care
Language(s) - English
Resource type - Journals
SCImago Journal Rank - 0.786
H-Index - 48
eISSN - 1478-9523
pISSN - 1478-9515
DOI - 10.1017/s1478951520000656
Subject(s) - psychosocial , psychology , grounded theory , distress , timeline , identity (music) , feeling , existentialism , erikson's stages of psychosocial development , meaning (existential) , social psychology , psychotherapist , developmental psychology , sociology , qualitative research , epistemology , social science , philosophy , physics , archaeology , acoustics , history
The diagnosis of an advanced cancer in young adulthood can bring one's life to an abrupt halt, calling attention to the present moment and creating anguish about an uncertain future. There is seldom time or physical stamina to focus on forward-thinking, social roles, relationships, or dreams. As a result, young adults (YAs) with advanced cancer frequently encounter existential distress, despair, and question the purpose of their life. We sought to investigate the meaning and function of hope throughout YAs' disease trajectory; to discern the psychosocial processes YAs employ to engage hope; and to develop a substantive theory of hope of YAs diagnosed with advanced cancer.