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Process of therapeutic changes in Meaning-Centered Group Psychotherapy adapted to the Portuguese language: A narrative analysis

Published online by Cambridge University Press:  20 January 2020

Guida da Ponte Open the ORCID record for Guida da Ponte [Opens in a new window] ,
Sílvia Ouakinin ,
Jorge Espírito Santo ,
Inês Amorim ,
Zita Gameiro ,
Mindi Fitz-Henley  and
William Breitbart
Guida da Ponte*
Affiliation:
Department of Psychiatry and Mental Health, Centro Hospitalar Barreiro-Montijo, EPE, Barreiro, Portugal Medical School of Lisbon, University of Lisbon, Lisboa, Portugal
Sílvia Ouakinin
Affiliation:
Medical School of Lisbon, University of Lisbon, Lisboa, Portugal University Clinic of Medical Psychology and Psychiatry, Medical School of Lisbon, University of Lisbon, Lisboa, Portugal
Jorge Espírito Santo
Affiliation:
Oncology Unit, Centro Hospitalar Barreiro-Montijo, EPE, Barreiro, Portugal
Inês Amorim
Affiliation:
Algarve Cancer Association, Faro, Portugal
Zita Gameiro
Affiliation:
Department of Psychiatry and Mental Health, Centro Hospitalar Barreiro-Montijo, EPE, Barreiro, Portugal
Mindi Fitz-Henley
Affiliation:
Department of Psychiatry, University Hospital of the West Indies, Kingston, Jamaica
William Breitbart
Affiliation:
Department of Psychiatry and Behavioral Sciences, Memorial Sloan Kettering Cancer Center, New York, NY, USA
*
Author for correspondence: Guida da Ponte, Department of Psychiatry and Mental Health, Centro Hospitalar Barreiro-Montijo, EPE, Avenida Movimento das Forças Armadas, 2830-003Barreiro, Portugal. E-mail: guidadaponte@gmail.com
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Abstract

Objective

The aim was to understand the processes of therapeutic changes in Meaning-Centered Group Psychotherapy (MCGP) in a Portuguese sample.

Method

Adult cancer patients with distress motivated to participate in MCGP were identified; descriptive and narrative analyses were performed on the session content.

Results

The sample had 24 participants (mean age: 63.43 years); the majority were females (75%), with a median academic degree (54%). Breast cancer was most frequent (67%) at the localized stage (71%). The narrative analysis defined seven categories according to the MCGP themes. In “Moments with Meaning (MwM),” the most relevant dimensions were related to interpersonal relations, the moment of diagnosis, and personal achievements. This category established relations with almost all other categories, as did the category “historical sources of meaning (SoM).” The category “identity before and after cancer diagnosis” was only related to “attitudinal SoM” and “transitions.” Historical SoM had two dimensions, “past” and “present and future” legacies, in which prominent topics related to family, childhood, achieved goals, and values to pass to others explored. Attitudinal SoM established relations only with the category “creative SoM,” in which “courage” and “responsibility” were the main dimensions, which were also related to “MwM,” “historical,” and “attitudinal SoM.” Experiential SoM, with the main dimension “love,” was related to “MwM” and “historical SoM.” Transitions only established relations with “historical SoM” and “identity before and after cancer.”

Significance of results

The findings that “MwM” and “historical SoM” were the categories which established a solid pattern of relations suggest that these are the main psychotherapy topics that can have more influence for the participants; one explanation is that these categories imply a concrete way of thinking, which is easier to understand. This process of therapeutic changes must be integrated in a cultural context, as it is well known to have an impact upon the “meaning” of life.

Keywords

AdaptationMeaning-Centered PsychotherapyNarrative analysisPortuguese languageTherapeutic changes
Type
Original Article
Information
Palliative & Supportive Care , Volume 18 , Issue 3 , June 2020 , pp. 254 - 262
Copyright
Copyright © Cambridge University Press 2020

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