Exploring cancer survivors' experiences of receiving group CBT
Research type
Research Study
Full title
Exploring cancer survivors’ experiences of receiving group Cognitive Behavioural Therapy
IRAS ID
245854
Contact name
Sonia Lopes
Contact email
Sponsor organisation
Canterbury Christ Church University
Duration of Study in the UK
0 years, 8 months, 30 days
Research summary
There is a high prevalence of depression and anxiety in cancer survivors (CS) and this seems to have negative effects on people’s quality of life. Cognitive Behavioural Therapy (CBT) is a form of psychotherapy that explains how thoughts and behaviours affect people's feelings. There is evidence that individual and group CBT has been effective with CS. Despite the growing number of CS and group CBT offered, most studies conducted were evaluating symptom reduction. Surprisingly, only one study (Balabanovic et al., 2012) aimed to look at CS experiences of attending CBT groups to gain a deeper understanding of the mechanisms of change. This study differs from the proposed project as it only included participants with one cancer diagnosis, female only, and the aim of the group was to address hot flushes and night sweats.
The proposed study aims to explore how people, mixed gender, with different types of cancer, experience group CBT for anxiety. This will help developing an understanding of what factors impacted on their experiences including which aspects were helpful and less helpful.
Due to the limited knowledge regarding CS experiences, qualitative grounded theory methodology (GTM) will be used in order to generate a theory regarding data collected.
Participants included in this study will be English-speaking adults, who have been previously diagnosed with cancer and have completed participations in a group CBT programme for anxiety within the last two years.
Those interested, will be given an information sheet, consent form and opportunity to clarify questions. Participants will attend one telephone or face-to-face interview for an hour with the researcher at central London or at the Canterbury Christ Church University campus. Participants can get up to £10 travel expenses reimbursement. The interview will be audio-recorded and information will be anonymised. Participants will find out about the results within a year.
REC name
West of Scotland REC 1
REC reference
18/WS/0159
Date of REC Opinion
31 Oct 2018
REC opinion
Further Information Favourable Opinion