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Comprehension and acceptance of the Meaning-Centered Psychotherapy with a Puerto Rican patient diagnosed with advanced cancer: A case study

Published online by Cambridge University Press:  27 November 2019

Normarie Torres-Blasco Open the ORCID record for Normarie Torres-Blasco [Opens in a new window] ,
Eida Castro ,
Iris Crespo-Martín ,
Karina Gonzalez ,
Emely Perez Ramirez ,
Olga Garduño  and
Rosario Costas-Muñiz
Normarie Torres-Blasco*
Affiliation:
Ponce Health Sciences University
Eida Castro
Affiliation:
Ponce Health Sciences University
Iris Crespo-Martín
Affiliation:
Universidad Int. Cataluna
Karina Gonzalez
Affiliation:
Ponce Health Sciences University
Emely Perez Ramirez
Affiliation:
Universidad de Puerto Rico
Olga Garduño
Affiliation:
Memorial Sloan Kettering Cancer Center
Rosario Costas-Muñiz
Affiliation:
Memorial Sloan Kettering Cancer Center
*
Author for correspondence: Normarie Torres-Blasco, PhD, MS, Ponce Health Sciences University, Psychology, Psychology, Ponce, 00732-7004. E-mail: [email protected]
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Abstract

Background

Meaning-centered psychotherapy (MCP) is a structured psychotherapeutic intervention that aims to improve existential and spiritual well-being in patients with advanced cancer. To validate it, several efficacy studies with predominantly non-Hispanic white patients have been done. Puerto Ricans residing on the island are a largely overlooked segment of the US Latinx population. They have a strong national identity and are embedded in a collectivist culture which shares the Spanish language, cultural traditions, and an emphasis on familism, a cultural factor that values the role of the family in ensuring the well-being of its members.

Objective

The purpose of this study is to present a case study focused on a Puerto Rican advanced cancer patient who underwent MCP to assess the comprehension and acceptance of the MCP intervention.

Method

We used a mixed-methods study design that included the taking of ethnographic notes, and pre- and post-test assessments of the scores the patient received on all the measures (using validated scales). The ethnographic notes were analyzed to determine the participant's comprehension and acceptance of the MCP intervention. Content analysis was performed on the ethnographic notes by three independent coders using a deductive coding approach. Pre- and post-interview assessments were conducted to explore changes in distress, spiritual well-being, and self-perceived quality of life.

Results

A Latino patient with stage III cancer, low income, and low literacy skills showed low comprehension of the concepts of meaning, the finite, legacy, and moderate comprehension and acceptance of the concepts of the search for hope, purpose in life, connecting with life, courage, life's limitations, and sources of meaning. However, the patient showed high comprehension of death and dying (i.e., meaningful death). The patient showed low acceptance of death and dying concepts and high acceptance of the integration of family members into the therapy.

Significance of Results

Additional studies are needed to address cultural themes and to improve the comprehensibility and acceptance of the manual's content and the central MCP concepts. The findings suggest that MCP has the potential of being a feasible form of psychotherapy for Latinx patients suffering from distress, low spiritual well-being, and low self-perceived QOL.

Keywords

cancerLatinxHispanicexistentialmeaningtherapyquality of lifedistressspiritual well-being
Type
Case Report
Information
Palliative & Supportive Care , Volume 18 , Issue 1 , February 2020 , pp. 103 - 109
Copyright
Copyright © Cambridge University Press 2019

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