Department of Hematology and Oncology, Ulsan University Hospital, Ulsan University College of Medicine, Ulsan, Korea.
College of Nursing, Sahmyook University, Seoul, Korea.
Palliat Support Care. 2023 Aug;21(4):658-669. doi: 10.1017/S1478951522000979.
This study aimed to explore perceptions of the meaning of life among Korean patients living with advanced cancer.
The study employed a mixed-methods design, and 16 participants were included in the analysis. Qualitative data gathered from in-depth interviews were analyzed using Colaizzi's phenomenological method. Quantitative survey data were analyzed using descriptive statistics, the Mann-Whitney test, the Kruskal-Wallis test, and Spearman's correlation.
Participants experienced both the existence of meaning and the will to find meaning in terms of four categories: "interpersonal relationships based on attachment and cohesion" (three themes - family as the core meaning of one's life, supportive and dependent interconnectedness with significant others, and existential responsibility embedded in familism), "therapeutic relationships based on trust" (one theme - communication and trust between the patient and medical staff), "optimism" (two themes - positivity embodied through past experiences and a positive attitude toward the current situation), and "a sense of purpose with advanced cancer" (two themes - the will to survive and expectations for the near future). The meaning in life questionnaire (MLQ) and the purpose in life scale (PIL) showed a significant positive correlation tendency with the functional assessment of chronic illness therapy-spiritual well-being scale (FACIT-Sp). The patient health questionnaire (PHQ-9) showed significant negative correlation tendency with both the MLQ-presence of meaning (MLQ-PM) and PIL-Initiative (PIL-I) questionnaires.
Finding meaning in life helps advanced cancer patients realize their will to live. It also acts as a coping mechanism that palliates negative experiences in the fight against the disease. In particular, among advanced cancer patients in the Korean culture, the dynamics of relationships with family and medical staff was a key axis that instilled optimism and will to live. These results suggest that considering the meaning of life in advanced cancer patients by reflecting Korean culture in the treatment process improves the quality of care.
本研究旨在探讨韩国晚期癌症患者对生命意义的认知。
本研究采用混合方法设计，纳入 16 名参与者进行分析。通过深入访谈收集的定性数据采用科拉齐的现象学方法进行分析。定量调查数据采用描述性统计、Mann-Whitney U 检验、Kruskal-Wallis 检验和 Spearman 相关分析进行分析。
参与者从四个方面体验到了意义的存在和寻找意义的意愿：“基于依恋和凝聚力的人际关系”（三个主题——家庭是生活的核心意义、与重要他人的支持和相互依存、家族主义中隐含的存在责任）、“基于信任的治疗关系”（一个主题——患者与医务人员之间的沟通和信任）、“乐观主义”（两个主题——通过过去的经历体现的积极性和对当前情况的积极态度）和“晚期癌症中的目的感”（两个主题——生存的意愿和对近期的期望）。生活意义问卷（MLQ）和生活目的量表（PIL）与慢性病治疗-精神健康量表（FACIT-Sp）呈显著正相关趋势。患者健康问卷（PHQ-9）与 MLQ-Presence of Meaning（MLQ-PM）和 PIL-Initiative（PIL-I）问卷呈显著负相关趋势。
在生活中寻找意义有助于晚期癌症患者实现生存的意愿。它也是一种应对机制，可以缓解与疾病抗争过程中的负面体验。特别是在韩国文化中，与家人和医务人员的关系动态是灌输乐观主义和生存意愿的关键轴线。这些结果表明，在治疗过程中考虑晚期癌症患者的生活意义，反映韩国文化，可以提高护理质量。
