Family as a Bridge to Improve Meaning in Latinx Individuals Coping with Cancer

Abstract

Background: Family and meaning-making resources are culturally congruent and help support Latinx coping with cancer.

Objectives: To explore Latinx advanced cancer patients' perspectives on the role of family and meaning/purpose in adjustment to advanced cancer.

Methods: A qualitative study was conducted. In-depth interviews were performed and transcripts were analyzed using the method from applied thematic analysis.

Setting/subject: Participants were patients with any advanced cancer diagnosis, recruited from Memorial Sloan Kettering Cancer Center (MSKCC), New York; Lincoln Medical Center (LMC), New York; and Ponce Health Science University (PHSU), Puerto Rico.

Measurements: Sociodemographic and semistructured interview.

Results: N = 24 in-depth interviews were completed by Latinx advanced cancer patients (Stage III and IV). When evaluating patients' perspectives on the role of family and meaning/purpose in adjustment to advanced cancer, the team generated three categories: (1) family support, (2) family communication, and (3) include support for the family. Many patients reported the importance of family as a source of meaning and social support in the process of cancer diagnosis and treatment. They also reported communication as central to process information and planning. Also, participants describe their desire to incorporate family members into therapy and for encouraging them to seek counseling.

Conclusions: Results highlight the need to include syntonic cultural values such as family and meaning for Latinx individuals coping with advanced cancer in psychological interventions.

Keywords: Latinx; cancer; family.